Scottish Parliament – Jan. 9, 2025 – 1

S6M-16034.4: As an amendment to motion S6M-16034 in the name of Kaukab Stewart (Building a Migration System that Supports Scotland’s Economy, Public Services and Communities), leave out from first “notes” to end and insert “understands that Scotland receives 6% of net migration to the UK, which is lower than its 8.4% population share;

notes that the Scottish Government has made Scotland an unattractive destination to move to through a combination of higher taxes on skilled professionals, a lack of investment in rural economies, a failure to provide adequate transport routes, an inability to provide enough homes in key areas, and a neglect of public services;

further notes that the Scottish Government’s failures have led to depopulation from some of Scotland’s more rural parts, and asserts that immigration is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and not in the jurisdiction of the Scottish Parliament.”

Original motion(S6M-16034): That the Parliament recognises the social, economic and cultural contribution made to Scotland by those who have chosen to live here;

notes the establishment of Scotland’s Migration Service at a cost of up to £1.5 million in the draft Budget 2025-26 to help employers, investors and individuals navigate the UK immigration system;

further notes that the Parliament has previously endorsed a motion calling for the development of a differentiated, more flexible migration policy tailored to meet Scotland’s specific needs, and calls on the UK Government to accept the Rural Visa Pilot proposal and to work directly and constructively with the Scottish Government to ensure that the needs of Scotland’s employers, communities and public services are fully reflected within the immigration system.