Scotland could need influx of 400,000 migrants

UP to 400,000 new immigrants would be needed to allow an independent Scotland to grow, the author of a new economic blueprint has claimed.

Andrew Wilson, who led the SNP’s Growth Commission, has suggested that the number of migrants living in Scotland could need to double in order to help secure the economic growth needed to bring an eyewatering deficit down.

The former MSP made the comments after his report suggested handing tax breaks to migrants to entice them to Scotland.

The Sustainable Growth Commission document said action would be needed to help bring the deficit an independent Scotland would face from 5.5 per cent of GDP to under 3 per cent within a decade.

When pressed on whether the number of immigrants needed would be nearer 40,000 or 400,000, Mr Wilson told the Sunday Times it would be ‘nearer 400,000’.

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said that, while some carefully controlled immigration could help in terms of filling skills gaps, ‘many Scots would be concerned at plans to invite as many as 400,000 people to Scotland’.

He added: ‘This level of immigration in such a short space of time would be unprecedented and would put substantial pressure on both housing and the delivery of public services such as schooling and health.’

Mr Wilson said: ‘On migration, every single political party agrees the population problem needs addressed and that we should be more friendly to migrants.

‘More than any other country in Europe right now we have an opportunity in Scotland to set a tone to the world that is friendly to migrants. It is a fabulous opportunity.’