Minister calls for immigration change as births fall

The Scottish Government has reiterated calls for changes to the immigration system after a fall in births in the first quarter of this year.

Figures released by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) showed 11,431 children were born between January and March of this year, 3.9% lower than the average for the first quarter of the year.

In the same period, the number of deaths was also lower than expected, with 16,721 recorded.

This was 7.7% lower than the 18,123 deaths anticipated in the first quarter.

Responding to the figures, equalities minister Kaukab Stewart again pushed the UK Government to change its immigration system to allow for more people to come to Scotland to counter the ageing population.

“The latest statistics highlight what we already know, that without migration, Scotland’s working age population will fall as deaths continue to outnumber births,” she said.

“Positive net migration is essential for supporting the size of the working-age population in Scotland, which is crucial for economic growth, public service planning, and community cohesion.”

The minister added: “We need talented and committed people from across the world to live, work and study here without excessive barriers.

“A one-size fits all approach to immigration fails to meet the needs of Scotland and much of the UK.”

Last month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to revamp the immigration system, including by scrapping care visas, extending the time people have to be in the UK before they can apply for settled status and reducing the length of time graduates can stay in the country after they graduate.

The Scottish Government has long called for a more liberal immigration system north of the border, and the minister said she was “deeply disappointed” by the Prime Minister’s plans.

“That is why we are calling on the UK Government to deliver changes to the immigration system that meets the distinct needs of our economy and population, in particular our rural and island communities,” she added.

In March, she said, the Scottish Government presented UK ministers with proposals as it created the White Paper on immigration, which are due to be made public soon.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.