AN ambitious pro-immigration “Come to Scotland” campaign should be launched as a key strategy to build prosperity by increasing population size, the SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission report has recommended.

The National has obtained an exclusive copy of the document which underlines that attracting people from other parts of the UK and from overseas has helped Scotland’s economy to date.

Further benefits could come under a new immigration policy with independence.

It also underlines how moving forward with such plans would be significantly damaged by Scotland remaining in a Brexit Britain where immigration is likely to be restricted.

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“The contribution of non-UK born citizens in Scotland to the Scottish economy is estimated at approximately £12 billion per year,” the report said.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already said the report will “restart the debate” about independence. IT works on the assumption that the country will be independent from 2021/22.

The document by economist and former SNP MSP Andrew Wilson sets out how the country can use the “3 Ps” – population, participation and productivity – in a bid to grow the economy. It will argue that an independent Scotland could be among the most successful small economies in the world, providing an economic boost that is equivalent of £4100 per person.

There are currently around 429,000 people living in Scotland who were born outside of the UK – with this group contributing £1.3bn to the public purse.

The 354-page report includes 30 recommendations on how to grow the economy, including introducing a new visa system in contrast to the “UK Tory government’s hostile approach to migration”.

Demographic trends mean Scotland needs to attract people to boost its working-age population, with the report setting the goal of the country retaining an additional 5000 overseas graduates each year – which could be worth £1.5bn a year to the economy within a decade.

Highly skilled workers moving to Scotland could get “transitional relief” on their income tax to help offset the costs of relocating, it will suggest, while entrepreneurs could benefit from increased support.