NEARLY two thirds of Scots think the country should set its own immigration policy, a new poll has found.
The study, carried out by Survation for the eu+me campaign group, found 63% of Scots back Holyrood gaining the ability to set different rules from the UK Government.
A fifth (20%) disagreed, 13% neither agreed or disagreed and 3.75% did not know. When those responses were removed, 83% supported Holyrood gaining immigration powers while 17% disagreed with the idea.
The poll of 1127 people living in Scotland was carried out between June 9 and 16.
A UK-wide poll of 1022 people from June 9-10 found about half (44%) of respondents agreed Scotland should set its own immigration policy, with 29% disagreed.
READ MORE: Scottish Care CEO: UK's visa exclusion of care staff will 'cost lives'
With don’t knows and no preferences removed, 61% agreed and 39% disagreed.
The results come as the UK Government gears up to set post-Brexit immigration policy, which experts have warned could be damaging for Scotland’s economy.
The Scottish Government’s independence expert advisory group on migration warned that under the Tory Government’s proposals, immigration into Scotland could be halved while there would be staff shortages in key areas like the care sector.
It emerged last week that social care workers will not qualify for Westminster’s post-Brexit health visa.
Only those classed as skilled workers – doctors, nurses, radiographers, social workers, and paramedics – will be eligible for the visa.
Those applying for the health visa will also need to be coming to a job that pays at least £20,480 – which is substantially more than a beginning salary for a care worker.
Meanwhile under non-health-focused visas, migrant workers will be required to earn at least £25,600 a year to be able to work in the UK.
Donald Macaskill, the CEO of Scottish Care, has warned the policy will “cost lives, weaken the system of care and irreparably damage rural communities in Scotland”.
Fergus Mutch (above), the director of eu+me, said there is currently “real trepidation” about what will happen when free movement ends in just five months.
He went on: “We want European citizens to come here to live, work, study, enrich our communities and help our country prosper for many years to come.
“There’s an increasing sense of frustration that this UK Government’s immigration approach is not working for Scotland and risks doing a great deal of damage – the consequences of which could be permanent.”
He added: “That’s why more and more people believe we must have a tailored system which works in Scotland’s interests.
“And across the UK, there’s little resistance to Scotland having control of those powers.
READ MORE: Post-Brexit plans could halve number of migrant workers
“It’s the popular policy, the common sense policy and the right policy.
“With the power to set our own course on immigration we can maintain alignment with the EU27, keep the door open to the exchange of talent and expertise from Europe and, ultimately, make the process easier to be back in the EU before long.”
Earlier this year the Scottish Government submitted proposals to Westminster, explaining how immigration powers could be devolved to Holyrood to allow Scotland to decide who can come into the country. UK ministers rejected the plan within hours of receiving it.
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