Immigration policy and constitutional change: the perspectives on Scottish employer and industry representatives

Attracting and retaining migrants has been positioned as a key driver of population and economic growth in Scotland (Scottish Government, 2011). The Scottish Government has consistently stated that current UK immigration policies do not meet the needs of Scotland (2013a, 2013b). In the event of independence, the Scottish Government would seek to implement immigration policies that it feels would better serve Scotland’s interests. Given that Scotland seeks to use immigration to meet population and economic growth objectives, it therefore seems pertinent to examine employers’ perspectives on migration policies in the context of possible constitutional change. The analysis draws on primary data gathered from an online survey of Scottish employers, which is supplemented by 20 in-depth interviews with employers and other industry representatives in key economic sectors in Scotland. A case is made that immigration is a highly important issue for Scottish employers, who argue that current UK immigration policies do not adequately meet their business needs. Employers view EU migration as of great benefit to their companies, but the restrictions on non-EU migration have caused concern for many of them, and in some instances have been blamed for restricting growth. Employers claim that UK immigration policy is disproportionately focused on the needs and interests of London and South-East England and view the current constitutional change debate as an opportunity to rectify this perceived imbalance. Their views are discussed with particular reference to how immigration legislation affecting Scotland could be improved in the future, regardless of the 2014 referendum result