Migration: policy context

The Scottish Government's economic strategy acknowledges the 'demographic challenge' of an ageing population and the need to attract more people of working age to Scotland. The government has a population growth target 'to match average European ( EU-15) population growth over the period from 2007 to 2017' which is being monitored.

The Fresh Talent Initiative, launched in 2003, was set up to encourage inward migration by attracting skilled people to live and work in Scotland. The Fresh talent: Working in Scotland Scheme, which was established to encourage overseas students to stay in Scotland after graduation, has been found to be successful and has been extended to the rest of the UK.