The scottish government has long advocated for devolved immigration powers that would allow them to create policies better tailored to scotland’s specific demographic and economic needs This rural embrace of immigration reveals not just a policy disagreement, but a fundamental difference in how communities conceptualize their futures. In 2020, then first minister nicola sturgeon launched a plan for a scottish visa pilot scheme in 2020 which would have allowed an exemption from uk immigration rules over hiring eu and other foreign nationals for businesses and organisations in remote and rural communities in scotland. Dr saskia smellie explores scotland's unique stance on immigration Looking at the latest research and scottish attitudes towards migrants and its distinctive narrative landscape and how it differs from the rest of the uk. There are issues with this, not least how the authorities would guarantee immigrants stay in rural scotland, rather than deserting for the more prosperous central belt or heading over the border.
Voter opposition to immigration is hardening in scotland with more than half of voters in favour of curbs to foreign labour and tougher citizenship rules, research has revealed.
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