SNP minister demands higher immigration to Scotland as she urges PM to help Holyrood tackle country's ageing population
An SNP minister today demanded changes to the immigration system to allow more people to come to Scotland to counter the country's ageing population.
Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart reiterated the Scottish Government's call for PM Sir Keir Starmer to ditch a 'one-size fits all approach' to immigration to the UK.
It came after figures released by the National Records of Scotland showed 11,431 children were born between January and March of this year.
This was 3.9 per cent lower than the average for the first quarter of the year.
In the same period, the number of deaths was also lower than expected, with 16,721 recorded. This was 7.7 per cent lower than the 18,123 deaths anticipated in the first quarter.
Mrs Stewart said: 'The latest statistics highlight what we already know, that without migration, Scotland's working age population will fall as deaths continue to outnumber births.
'Positive net migration is essential for supporting the size of the working-age population in Scotland, which is crucial for economic growth, public service planning, and community cohesion.'
Sir Keir has repeatedly promised to cut both legal and illegal migration to the UK since becoming PM. But Mrs Stewart said a different approach was needed for Scotland.
'We need talented and committed people from across the world to live, work and study here without excessive barriers,' she added.
'A one-size fits all approach to immigration fails to meet the needs of Scotland and much of the UK.'
Last month, the PM announced plans to revamp the UK's immigration system.
This included scrapping care visas, extending the time people have to be in the UK before they can apply for settled status, and reducing the length of time graduates can stay in the country after they graduate.
The Scottish Government has long called for a more liberal immigration system north of the border and Mrs Stewart said she was 'deeply disappointed' by Sir Keir.
'That is why we are calling on the UK Government to deliver changes to the immigration system that meets the distinct needs of our economy and population, in particular our rural and island communities,' she added.
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