Immigration Solicitors

The Treasury has estimated that if Scotland votes for independence, an additional workforce of 24,000 new migrants would be needed every year to maintain Scotland’s net migration figure.

A government report into the impact of an independent Scotland is due to be published this week – and it is estimated that an independent Scotland would need to increase its working population by 9%, the equivalent of a new city the size of Edinburgh.

Scotland’s increasingly ageing population would need replenishing with workers from overseas to guarantee the country’s financial health, ministers are expected to say in the report.

Scottish independence has become a central focus for all political parties, after UKIP gains in the local council elections last week. Losing seats in Scotland after independence could impact seriously on the ability of the three main political parties – the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats – to form a majority government in next year’s General Election.

The Conservatives have already ruled out a pact with UKIP – but public fears over immigration have given UKIP an estimated 17% of the overall vote.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said in the past that without migrant workers from the EU, the NHS and the City of London would “fall over”.

The Conservatives are currently thought to be considering further immigration measures as the party’s pledge to reduce net migration to “tens of thousands“ a year continues to fail, with net migration remaining at around 212,000 last year. Most citizens of EU member states come to the UK to work, rather than claim benefits, statistics show.

Like the rest of the UK, an independent Scotland would also be reliant on migrant labour, according to the anticipated government report – with the population needing to grow by around 480,000 by the year 2035-36.

The report is due to be launched by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander – LibDem MP for Inverness, Bairn, Badenoch and Strathspey – according to a Daily Mail report.

If Scotland votes for independence, there will also be questions over whether it would be able to keep its sterling currency – and if it would be able to join the EU in its own right as an independent country.

Citizens of EU member states are allowed free access to the jobs markets and public services of other member states.

However, The Independent reports that following UKIP gains in local council elections and the European Parliament, the government may introduce restrictions on migrants from the EU, including measures to deter workers from coming to the UK and restrictions on benefits unless a jobseeker from the EU has a realistic prospect of finding a job in Britain.

The measures are due to be announced in the Queen’s Speech in June.

Duncan Lewis Immigration Lawyers

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers can advise migrants to the UK on immigration maters, including asylum and asylum appeals.

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and can advise on:

• Citizenship in the UK
• Deportation from the UK
• Housing benefit for migrants in the UK
• Illegal entry to the UK
• Marriage in the UK
• Right to work in the UK
• Student visas to the UK.

For expert legal advice on immigration law and asylum in the UK, contact Duncan Lewis solicitors on 020 7923 4020.