Migrant permits plan 'imminent'

Mr McConnell says skilled migrants should be welcomed

Moves to halt Scotland's population decline by attracting migrants with work permits are close to being finalised, it has emerged.

First Minister Jack McConnell has warned that, without action, Scotland's working-age population could fall below three million within a generation.

The Scottish Executive is working with Westminster to boost the number of migrants settling in Scotland.

An executive spokeswoman said an announcement on the plans was imminent.

Mr McConnell told BBC TV's The Daily Politics programme that Scotland's population has been in steady decline for several years, although the decline had slowed since devolution in 1999.

We believe that if we had our UK share of population in relation to work permits, then we would be able to stem that demographic change Jack McConnell

"We still have demographic changes which are going to lead to further decreases in population over the next 23 years, which will lead to the working age population in Scotland going below three million by 2027," said Mr McConnell.

He said his first responsibility as first minister was to nurture and retain Scotland's home-grown talent.

"But we also have a real opportunity, I think, in attracting skilled migrants from elsewhere in the world, more people on work permits," he said.

"We believe that if we had our UK share of population in relation to work permits, then we would be able to stem that demographic change and that population decline in Scotland."

People with skills

Mr McConnell and Home Secretary David Blunkett have been in close contact over the first minister's goal of encouraging more people to settle in Scotland.

Work permits are thought to be a favoured method of achieving this, and officials based in Sheffield who are responsible for work permits are said to be examining how best to do this.

An executive spokeswoman said an announcement on Mr McConnell's plans was "imminent".

Mr McConnell told the TV programme that after problems three years ago, there was now a greater integration of immigrant families in Glasgow and other areas, to the benefit of local schools and other aspects of life which gained from hard-working families coming to Scotland.

He said: "It's precisely those kinds of families - entrepreneurs, people with skills and in some cases people with money - able to come to this country and make a contribution to our economy.

"That's what businesses in Scotland are crying out for and that's why we are responding and putting together details to the Home Office that will make this work in practice."