SCOTLAND'S annual net migration from the rest of the UK has continued to grow, with more people coming in to the country than leaving, figures show. The latest figures from National Records Scotland (NRS) show that since 2010, Scotland’s annual net migration from the rest of the UK increased from 2909 to 8914. In 2021, inflow from the rest of the UK was 14,400 higher (+34%) than the previous year, while 8900 more people moved to Scotland from the rest of the UK than left. Scotland’s 2022 census also recorded the highest ever Scottish population, 5,436,600, as a direct result of inward migration. Census data showed that without migration the population would have decreased by about 49,800 since 2011.
It comes as Unionist parties suggest there'll be a "mass exodus" of higher-paid workers moving south of the Border as a result of a new tax band for those earning over £75,000.
The SNP have said it is Scotland's "social contact" that is attracting people to move to Scotland, with free prescriptions and university tuition being key pull factors.
SNP MP Alison Thewliss said: “In the last 10 years, more and more people from the rest of the UK have decided to make Scotland their home - with a higher number coming to Scotland than moving away year on year. “This shows that Scotland’s progressive tax system and the strong ‘social contract’ between the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland is attracting others from across the UK. “It is our view that those with the broadest shoulders pay a little more to protect the better policies and public services that we all enjoy here in Scotland - and it is working. "
The sixth paper in the Building a New Scotland series focused on the importance of immigrants to the country and setting out a different approach to the current “hostile environment” purported by Westminster.
The Scottish Government has long called for immigration to be devolved to attract more working-age people to the country, and help pay for the ageing population via taxes.
Recent polling also showed Scots are “broadly comfortable” with migration and almost three-fifth believe it has a positive impact on the country.
