The Scottish government, which is based in Edinburgh and has power over issues like health care, transportation and some elements of taxation, would like to have control over immigration in its territory, too. That is currently determined in London where the government controls migration policy for the whole of the United Kingdom. Mr. Swinney’s governing Scottish National Party, which supports independence for Scotland from the U.K., has proposed a special visa for migrants wanting to work there. This could include a rural visa pilot program which, for the first four years, would restrict the place of employment to a specific area, and a Scottish graduate visa, allowing students to live and work in Scotland for two years after concluding their studies. But with Reform U.K. consistently ahead in the polls, there is little appetite in London for any of these initiatives.

Source: The Times November 04, 2025 14:50 UTC