Conclusions and recommendations
Addressing Scotland’s demographic challenges
1.We agree with the majority of our witnesses that Scotland’s growing population is a positive development after historic population decline. Population growth and further reducing the number of residents in Scotland who choose to migrate to other parts of the UK are important parts of meeting Scotland’s demographic challenges and ensuring Scotland’s economy and society have a thriving future. (Paragraph 17)
2.It is clear to us that, taking into account the birth rate trends and the age profile of the population in Scotland, natural change in population cannot provide the population growth that Scotland needs. We accept that policies which aim to encourage people to have more children have limited impact on increasing the population. Those which are most effective are policies that support working parents and make it easier for women to return to work after having children. (Paragraph 27)
3.We welcome the work the Scottish Government is doing to identify reasons for outward migration from Scotland. We acknowledge their commitment to developing further employment opportunities in order to create the environment to help retain a greater number of people who have moved to Scotland from both the rest of the UK and overseas. (Paragraph 36)
4.There is a case for sub-national migration powers for Scotland to be further considered based on the evidence we have received, but this Committee makes no recommendations about the shape of that policy. We call for closer co-operation between the UK and Scottish Government on this issue. (Paragraph 42)
5.We were disappointed by the UK Government’s response to our report on post-study work schemes. We would recommend that the UK Government revisits our report to see what measures should be taken forward. (Paragraph 45)
6.We have heard repeated demands for the UK Government to improve the post-study work route for non-EU students attending Scottish universities who wish to remain in Scotland to work. This belies the Government’s assertion that current arrangements are “excellent”, and makes it all the more remarkable that the new pilot scheme which makes improvements to the Tier 4 visa for eligible master’s students did not include a criteria that would have allowed a Scottish university to be involved. (Paragraph 50)
7.We restate our call for the UK Government to work constructively with the Scottish Government to explore the possibility of introducing a formal scheme to allow international higher education students graduating from Scottish further and higher education institutions to remain in Scotland and contribute to economic activity for a defined period of time, as set out in the Smith Commission Report. (Paragraph 51)
8.We acknowledge that the Scottish Government has levers and powers which it could use to help obtain its objective of growing its population. Indeed, due to the devolution settlement, the Scottish Government has many such powers. There are, however, a number of policy levers that are held by the UK Government. The Scottish Government and the UK Governments should work together to achieve continued population growth in Scotland. (Paragraph 56)
9.The Government should ensure that, as part of preparations for the UK to leave the EU, they take the opportunity to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that any new immigration policies meet the needs of Scotland as well as the UK as a whole. (Paragraph 60)
Scotland’s ageing population
10.Scotland has a lower life expectancy compared with the rest of the UK and this trend is predicted to continue in the future. The UK and Scottish Governments must work together in areas of shared policy, and where they have specific UK-wide or devolved responsibilities, in areas to help improve life expectancy in Scotland. (Paragraph 73)
Demographics and the economy
11.The Barnett formula takes into account the population growth of Scotland compared to the rest of the UK but not the age of the population or higher mortality rates. (Paragraph 78)
12.We recommend that the Government considers how it can take into account Scotland’s higher relative mortality rates and ageing profile of its population within existing funding arrangements, given that these factors lead to significant cost pressures for the Scottish Government (Paragraph 78)
13.We note that the Secretary of State suggested that the Scottish Government should look at “innovative” ways of using the welfare powers that have been devolved to them. We recommend that the UK Government and the Scottish Government work constructively together should the UK Government decide to vary or change the existing devolved benefits. (Paragraph 83)
14.The focus by both the UK and Scottish Government on growing Scotland’s economy is something which we welcome. A strong economy is essential for expanding existing businesses, attracting new businesses and drawing people to Scotland. (Paragraph 88)
Rural Scotland
15.Access to superfast broadband is not a luxury add-on for rural communities, but a key part of the infrastructure required for those communities to thrive and develop. We acknowledge that the UK Government is working to ensure that rural areas throughout the UK get superfast broadband coverage. We are also pleased that the Scottish Government is working to ensure 100% superfast broadband coverage over the next five years. (Paragraph 104)
28 November 2016