PEOPLE living in Scotland should have freedom of movement and access to the Erasmus+ programme, according to the nation’s leading pro-EU body.

The European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) has put forward 15 key policies for parties and candidates to adopt ahead of the upcoming Holyrood election.

Some 62% of Scots voted to Remain in the EU at the 2016 Brexit referendum. Now EMiS pushes for Scotland to become part of the EU again and wants the nation to have the closest possible links with the EU until that can happen.

READ MORE: Kenny MacAskill hints suggests Alba backs EFTA over EU membership

In their manifesto, described as a “practical checklist for limiting further damage to Scotland”, EMiS urges prospective MSPs to reinforce Scotland’s European interests.

The 15 policies are as follows:

  • Urge UK Government to allow immigration policy to respond to Scotland’s demographic deficit and specific needs in key sectors such as health, tourism, agriculture and fisheries
  • Recognise that Scottish citizens wish to recover their right to freedom of movement; ensure frictionless travel and work across the EEA; push for mutual recognition of qualifications.
  • Demand physical proof of settled status for EEA nationals living and working in Scotland.
  • Mitigate impact of post-Brexit trade barriers to allow genuinely frictionless access to EU markets for the food and fishing sectors; ensure close alignment on animal welfare, environmental and food standards.
  • Develop better distribution hubs and more direct transport links between Scotland and mainland Europe.
  • Support close co-operation with other European countries in the effective protection and management of our shared marine resources.
  • Maintain strongest possible educational and cultural links with the EU, allowing free access to young people, teachers, academics and members of the creative industries; push for Scotland’s renewed participation in Erasmus+.
  • Ensure Scottish interests are fully represented in EU Research Programme Committees.
  • Ensure NHS Scotland retains its ability to provide comprehensive, publicly-funded health services free at the point of delivery; rule out deregulation or privatisation by stealth.
  • Limit negative impact of Brexit on public health by ensuring adequate supply of medication and treatments; and by maintaining close cooperation with European health agencies and networks.
  • Demand full partnership in managing the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the replacement for the extensive and locally focussed EU funding that has strengthened Scotland’s communities.
  • Use #COP26 to underline Scotland’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency and ensure emissions targets are consistent with or higher than those of the EU.
  • Stay closely aligned with EU on all environmental protection and clean energy policies.
  • Stay closely aligned to EU human rights laws
  • Adopt EU’s approach to privacy and transparency around use of personal data

Mark Lazarowicz, EMiS chair, said while the UK has left the EU the remaining relationship "matters greatly" to voters.

"This relationship will have longstanding impacts on the country's economy and culture.

"We urge prospective members of the Scottish Parliament and their political parties to work to reinforce Scotland’s European interests and prioritise the issues we identify as important for the future prosperity and wellbeing of Scotland and its people."

The National:

It comes after Labour leader Keir Starmer said in a Telegraph interview yesterday that there is “no case” to rejoin the EU. He said it’s now time to make the deal “work”.

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said that "it's clear that a vote for Labour is a vote for Boris Johnson to decide Scotland's future".