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Ahead of the publication of a report from IPPR North, the leading think-tank for the North of England, on how a regionalised component of migration policy could work in England, Russell Gunson, director of IPPR Scotland, said:

“This is an interesting report on how the immigration system could be responsive to regional need, taking the North East of England as a case study. The report is instructive from a Scotland point of view too.

“In Scotland, there is even more potential for a regionalised, or even devolved, immigration system, particularly following the Brexit vote. A differentiated immigration system within the UK could not only better meet distinct demographic needs in Scotland and across the regions of the UK, but it could also, in theory at least, open up the possibilities of closer relationships with Europe for some parts of the UK compared to others.

“The implications of the Brexit vote mean we should be thinking innovatively and creatively about how the immigration system can work better, both for our economy and to address public concerns. The UK government should be exploring all the options following June's EU referendum vote.

“Following the EU vote, we need to explore opportunities for Scotland and for other parts of the UK, not prematurely close them off. I hope the UK and Scottish Governments constructively engage on the future of immigration with that aim in mind.”

ends

Contact:

For more details on the IPPR North report, contact Ash Singleton, External Affairs Manager for IPPR Scotland & IPPR North, on a.singleton@ippr.org, 07887 422 789.

For broadcast bids, please contact Russell Gunson, Director of IPPR Scotland, on r.gunson@ippr.org, 07766 904 332.

Notes:

IPPR Scotland is a cross-party progressive think-tank. It does not take a view on constitutional issues facing Scotland.

The IPPR North report looks at how different English areas, and the North East of England specifically, could have more of a say over migration, and how the migration system could be more responsive to the needs of different regions. Under its proposals, priority areas and thresholds in the non-EU visa system could be adjusted by region, in order to meet local labour market needs.

IPPR aims to influence policy in the present and reinvent progressive politics in the future, and is dedicated to the better country that Britain can be through progressive policy and politics.

With nearly 60 staff across four offices throughout the UK, IPPR is Britain’s only national think tank with a truly national presence.