Overview

• SNP MP Stephen Gethins introduced the Devolution (Immigration) (Scotland) Bill, aiming to remove immigration from reserved matters under the Scotland Act 1998.
• The Bill proposes a Scottish-managed migration system to tackle acute labor shortages in sectors such as care, hospitality, and tourism.
• A Scottish Government survey revealed that 42.9% of businesses in the health and social work sector faced worker shortages as of February 2025.
• Gethins argued that the UK’s centralized immigration policies fail to address Scotland’s specific needs, exacerbating challenges caused by Brexit and recent UK rule changes.
• Industry representatives and businesses have expressed support for the Bill, advocating for a bespoke Scottish visa system to sustain economic growth.