Migration - Meeting Scotland's Needs

The Ending of Freedom of Movement

29. While England and Wales saw strong in-migration through the 1950s and 1960s it was only from 2001 onwards that, for the first time since records began, Scotland became a country of sustained net inward migration. This change was driven by the free movement of EEA nationals coming to Scotland to live, work and study. Yet migration from the EU to the UK is now negative, with more people leaving the UK to move to the EU than vice versa.

30. Scottish employers were more reliant on EU workers than in many other parts of the UK. The ending of freedom of movement has had a negative impact on sectors across the Scottish economy and public services, with research by the Nuffield Trust, for example, highlighting the negative impact on the UK health and social care sector^[10]. The Creative Industries Policies and Evidence Centre have highlighted the negative impact on the creative industries^[11].

31. The ending of freedom of movement means that the Scottish economy is much more vulnerable to changes in the immigration system.