Scotland Pushes for Full Control Over Immigration

Key Takeaways

• The Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill 2024-25 aims to transfer immigration control from Westminster to Holyrood.
• Assisted Dying Bill proposes strict criteria for terminally ill adults seeking medically assisted death in Scotland.
• Rising income requirements for spouse visas and digital immigration systems are impacting families and employers across Scotland.

Scotland 🇬🇧 is right now at the center of two of the most debated issues of the year: New Immigration Plans and the Assisted Dying Bill. How the country handles these topics could have a big effect on everyone from families and workers to employers and lawmakers. These changes have caused many to wonder what the future might look like for Scotland’s 🇬🇧 legal system, its economy, and the everyday lives of people living there. Let’s look closer at what these changes mean, how they could play out, and what is at stake.

A Push for Change: Scotland’s 🇬🇧 New Immigration Plans

The Scottish Parliament is facing growing demand for more control over immigration. Right now, immigration laws for Scotland 🇬🇧 are mostly set by the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 government at Westminster. But as highlighted by a recent private member’s bill—named the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill 2024-25—some leaders want to change that.

The Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill 2024-25

Member of Parliament Stephen Gethins, part of the Scottish National Party (SNP), is behind this bill. The aim is simple: shift responsibility for immigration from London’s Westminster Parliament to Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. If passed, this bill would change the Scotland Act 1998 so that decisions on immigration, including people seeking asylum and rules about who is allowed to live in the country, would be managed by Scotland’s 🇬🇧 own lawmakers.

Supporters of the bill say Scotland 🇬🇧 faces needs and problems that are different from the rest of the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. Some rural areas in Scotland 🇬🇧 are losing people as younger residents move away. There are also shortages of workers in jobs like healthcare, construction, and science. Local groups such as the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Prosper (formerly known as SCDI), Reform Scotland, and The Law Society of Scotland all support letting Scotland 🇬🇧 have its own immigration controls, saying that local solutions are better at meeting unique Scottish 🇬🇧 needs.

Reasons for Local Control

There are clear reasons why supporters want to handle immigration differently in Scotland 🇬🇧:

• Population Decline: Some towns and villages are losing people every year, which can lead to schools or even hospitals closing.
• Workforce Gaps: Businesses need more workers, especially in health care, engineering, construction, and IT. When companies cannot find local people to fill jobs, they have to look elsewhere.
• Different Priorities: Surveys have found that about one-third of people in Scotland 🇬🇧 want to bring in more immigrants, and two-thirds believe a mix of cultures makes life better.

These points explain why local powers might make it easier for Scotland 🇬🇧 to attract new residents and build up its workforce. For example, if Scotland 🇬🇧 managed its own system, it could stay open to workers who want to live in quiet, rural areas or design special routes for international students to stay after graduation.

But for now, Holyrood’s power is limited. As reported by VisaVerge.com, controlling immigration is still mostly a “reserved power,” which means only the UK 🇬🇧 Parliament can make decisions. This has made many campaigners frustrated—and led to calls for the changes included in the New Immigration Plans.

Key UK Changes Affecting Scotland 🇬🇧

While Scotland 🇬🇧 waits to see if it will get more control, other changes at the UK 🇬🇧 level are already affecting people moving to or living in Scotland 🇬🇧. These include:

• Higher Income Thresholds for Spouse Visas: If you want to bring your husband, wife, or partner to live with you, you now need to show you earn at least £29,000. In early 2025, that will go up again to £38,700. This makes it harder for some families to move to Scotland 🇬🇧 together.
• Stricter Rules for Job Sponsors: Companies sponsoring overseas workers can’t make employees pay fees for things like sponsorship or compliance costs anymore. This could help protect workers but adds pressure on employers.
• Switch to Digital Visas (eVisas): Paper Biometric Residence Permits are being phased out. Everyone will need to manage their immigration status online, using eVisas. This follows the goal of a digital border.
• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): By April 2025, most visitors to Scotland 🇬🇧 – even from other parts of Europe – will need electronic approval before they travel. This means more planning for trips, even for some who never needed a visa in the past.
• Longer Waits for Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain): There are plans to make some people wait up to ten years—double the previous time—before they can settle permanently in Scotland 🇬🇧. This could mean spending much longer on temporary visas.

To read more about how the UK 🇬🇧 government sets these rules, visit the official Home Office Guidance.

The Local Reaction

In Scotland 🇬🇧, these changes are met with mixed feelings. On one hand, many welcome protection for workers and moves toward modern systems. On the other, strict income limits and long waits for settlements make life harder for some families and businesses who depend on foreign talent.

Sectors like health care and engineering say they already struggle to find enough trained staff. These sectors argue that Scotland 🇬🇧 needs to have a say in its own future if it wants to stop the population from shrinking and help companies grow. As the population ages, Scotland 🇬🇧 faces the risk of not having enough workers to pay for public services.

The Assisted Dying Bill: Compassion and Controversy

Besides immigration, Scotland’s 🇬🇧 lawmakers are also carefully looking at the Assisted Dying Bill. This bill, formally called the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, could lead to massive changes.

What Does the Bill Propose?

Liam McArthur, a Member of the Scottish Parliament, introduced the bill in March 2024. Its goal is to allow some adults with terminal illnesses to ask for help ending their lives, but only if very strict rules are followed.

Key points of the bill include:

• The person must be at least 16 years old.
• They must have a terminal illness that is getting worse and will lead to death.
• The person must have lived in Scotland 🇬🇧 for at least one year and be registered with a local doctor.
• Two different doctors, working separately, must confirm the patient’s situation and check that the request is made freely.
• The bill includes a set of 12 strong safety checks to make sure no one is pressured.

People who want to use this law would need to show they understand what they are doing, and that it is their own decision. Other forms of helping someone die would remain illegal—only those meeting all the requirements would have this choice.

Support and Debate

Supporters of the bill say it gives people dignity and control at the end of their lives, especially when other ways to ease pain no longer work. They say it is about compassion and respecting the wishes of terminally ill adults.

But there are also strong voices of concern. Some groups believe this goes too far and worry about whether the Scottish Parliament really has the power to make this kind of law, since health and matters like assisted dying are sometimes argued about between Holyrood (the Scottish Parliament) and Westminster (the UK Parliament).

Legal specialists have pointed out that even if the bill is passed in Scotland 🇬🇧, it might be challenged in court. These experts ask whether Holyrood has the authority to change the law on issues that touch on criminal acts and human rights, which are sometimes reserved for the UK-wide government.

This means that even if the Assisted Dying Bill becomes law, its future could depend on further negotiations or legal battles between Scotland 🇬🇧 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 central government.

Comparing the Two Reforms

Though the topics of immigration and assisted dying are very different, both point to a deeper question: Should Scotland 🇬🇧 have more say over laws that directly affect its people? Both New Immigration Plans and the Assisted Dying Bill involve issues where the power to decide currently sits with Westminster.

Supporters of the New Immigration Plans argue that local lawmakers know what Scotland’s 🇬🇧 communities and economy need. Opponents may worry about rules becoming too different across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

For the Assisted Dying Bill, the debate turns on the issue of compassion, dignity, and personal choice. Again, opponents question if Scotland’s 🇬🇧 Parliament has the legal right to introduce such a law, while supporters stress the need for strong safeguards and public consultation.

Here’s a simple comparison:

Impacts on People, Employers, and Services

• For Families and Workers: Tighter immigration rules can make it harder to bring over loved ones or hire key workers from overseas. Local control with New Immigration Plans could make the process simpler for some.
• For Businesses: Many business owners support having more flexible and welcoming immigration policies. Strict UK-wide limits might make it difficult to fill important jobs in Scotland 🇬🇧.
• For Health Services: Lack of workers and new rules could put stress on hospitals and care homes. Changes that allow easier recruitment from overseas could help.
• For Terminally Ill Patients and Families: If the Assisted Dying Bill passes and survives any legal challenge, it would give new choices at the end of life. Supporters say this is about reducing suffering, while critics urge caution about risks.

Challenges Ahead: Legal, Political, Social

Both the New Immigration Plans and the Assisted Dying Bill have big hurdles. Legally, there is no guarantee that the Scottish Parliament has the power to decide these issues without further changes to the law. It often comes down to close reading of the Scotland Act 1998 and whether these topics are “reserved” for Westminster or not.

Politically, each reform sparks strong opinions. Some see them as necessary steps to meet the real needs of Scotland’s 🇬🇧 people. Others worry about the risks of changing long-standing rules, or about the possibility of Scotland 🇬🇧 and the rest of the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 drifting apart.

Socially, these debates draw attention to the unique identity and values of Scotland 🇬🇧. Immigration policy shapes the future of towns and cities, while end-of-life laws touch the most sensitive parts of family and personal life.

Looking Forward: What to Expect

As of now, both the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill 2024-25 and the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill are under consideration. Their progress will depend on debate, public opinion, and decisions about who holds the power in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

Observers say that even if these reforms pass in Scotland 🇬🇧, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 government could still step in. Any major change to how immigration is handled, or to how the law treats assisted dying, might lead to court challenges or calls for new agreements between Holyrood and Westminster.

For now, Scotland 🇬🇧 stands at a crossroads. How it moves forward on the New Immigration Plans and the Assisted Dying Bill will shape not only its laws, but also its sense of community, fairness, and compassion.

Where You Can Learn More and What Happens Next

Anyone interested in the future of these issues should pay close attention to updates from the Scottish Parliament and professional bodies such as The Law Society of Scotland. More details on how migration is managed in Scotland 🇬🇧 can be found on the official migration page of the Scottish government. The story is still developing, and both the New Immigration Plans and the Assisted Dying Bill invite everyone—residents, businesses, patients, and families—to join discussions about what kind of country Scotland 🇬🇧 should be.

Both issues challenge lawmakers to balance compassion, fairness, and the need to plan for the future. As debate continues, the results will be watched closely, not just in Scotland 🇬🇧, but across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and beyond.

Learn Today

Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill 2024-25 → A proposed law to give Scotland control over its own immigration policy, currently managed by the UK Parliament.
Reserved Power → Authority held only by the UK Parliament in Westminster, limiting what the Scottish Parliament can legislate on.
Holyrood → Another name for the Scottish Parliament located in Edinburgh, distinct from the UK’s Westminster Parliament.
eVisa → A digital, online immigration status replacing physical biometric residence permits for non-citizens in the UK.
Assisted Dying Bill → Legislation proposed to allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to access medically assisted dying under specific safeguards.

This Article in a Nutshell

Scotland is at a turning point, debating both control over its immigration laws and the right to assisted dying. New reforms propose shifting key powers to Holyrood, impacting families, workers, and healthcare. How lawmakers resolve legal, political, and social hurdles may reshape Scotland’s future, identity, and autonomy within the UK.
— By VisaVerge.com

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