Making a Success of Immigration to Scotland

Watch the second in a series of Reform Scotland research papers and events in the run-up to the election in partnership with the Scottish Policy Foundation, an independent, apolitical grant-making charitable foundation that works to promote objective policy research in order to inform public debate.  This event was before a Zoom audience on 15 April 2021.

 Without immigration, Scotland’s working-age population is projected to decline over the next 25 years. Meanwhile, the number of Scots in the 65-74 age group is expected to increase by 17 per cent, and those aged 75 and above by 79 per cent. Scotland also has the lowest fertility rate in the UK. This means a smaller proportion of working people would have to fund the expanding costs and care of a rapidly-ageing population.

In our new report, ‘Entry Points: Making a Success of Immigration to Scotland’, public policy expert Heather McCauley examines the role immigrants might play in tackling this looming crisis. She also explores the experiences – good and bad – of migrant-receiving countries such as New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the US, and looks at the lessons a post-Brexit Scotland should draw.

The report’s findings were outlined by Heather McCauley and followed by a Q&A. The event was chaired by Chris Deerin, Director of Reform Scotland.