Scottish government welcomes MPs’ call for devolution of immigration policy

Calls for the devolution of immigration by a cross-party group of MPs has been welcomed by the Scottish government.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration said the UK government should consider devolving such powers because of the shortcomings of what they called the current “one-size-fits-all” system.

The group recommended that immigrants learn English before coming to the UK or take lessons upon arrival.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for immigration to be devolved, though Downing Street has rejected this demand, on the basis the UK should have a single immigration policy.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell told the House of Commons’ Scottish Affairs Committee earlier this year that the “obvious” answer to the question was “no”.

A Scottish government spokesman said the UK government’s approach failed to appreciate Scotland’s different needs and the fact that in its strategy “refugees and asylum seekers should be welcomed”.

A spokesman for the UK government said: “Our country has long been home to lots of different cultures and communities, but all of us have to be part of one society – British society.

“However, we must also recognise that uncontrolled, mass immigration makes it difficult to maintain social cohesion and puts pressure on public services.

“Our priority is to build an immigration system that works for everyone in the UK and delivers the control we need.”

Immigration expert Jamie Kerr, a partner at Thorntons Solicitors, told Scottish Legal News: “With Brexit, Scottish politicians have quickly realised the need to understand and challenge UK-wide immigration policy given the importance that it undoubtedly has in shaping Scotland’s economic prosperity. There is a long-held view that the UK immigration rules are not fit for purpose and UK immigration policy is driven by the needs of London and the south east.

“As the Brexit debate intensifies, it is likely that we will see more widespread calls for the devolution of immigration policy, or some aspects of it, to the Scottish Parliament.

“There may be a sensible case for that and there is certainly precedent for it, though we first need to ensure that the complex rules are fully understood and that we understand why we want actually the powers devolved.”