I am pleased to welcome you to Glasgow City Chambers for the Ministerial Immigration Stakeholder Debate with Meg Hillier. We look forward to hearing your opinions over the course of this afternoon's discussions.
Migration is one of our 21st century conundrums. More people are on the move than ever before. Nearly 200 million people worldwide are living outside their country of birth.
I believe that Scotland should not remain silent on migration. It's neither an issue for fringe parties nor a taboo subject.
Sometimes in the recent past asylum policy and immigration policy have been spoken of as though they were the same thing. Asylum policy and immigration are two different things but are too often conflated.
On asylum we need to abide by our longstanding support for the Geneva Convention and welcome a fair share of people who are genuinely fleeing persecution. In my own constituency the highest profile asylum seekers who have made their homes in Scotland more than 60 years ago are the survivors of the Holocaust.
Over recent years, Glasgow has welcomed thousands of asylum seekers under the Home Office dispersal scheme. North Lanarkshire Council is now welcoming refugees under the Gateway programme.
And on immigration we need a firm but fair policy. Which ensures that we run Britain's immigration policy for the benefit of Britain - putting Britain first.
We all know that migration has long played a central role in Scottish life. Glasgow¿s 19th century growth was built by Irish immigrants and Highland migrants.
But until the 21st century Scotland experienced a net outflow of people.
Over the past two centuries over three million more people have left Scotland (for the rest of UK and overseas) than have come in. That's a staggering loss for a country of five million souls.
Uniquely, the last decade has seen in-migration, both from home and abroad. The biggest numbers coming to stay in our country are perhaps surprisingly, from other parts of the UK. The rising population reflecting the strong growth, until 2008, of the most diverse Scottish economy ever.
What does this mean? Well the Scottish population is rising, but so is our average age. By 2012, we should reach a population record of over five and a quarter million. By 2033, we will exceed five and a half million.
But within two decades the average age of the Scottish population will be 45. That's a jump of five years on our current average and three years older than me. An ageing population which poses questions for the Welfare State and our future prosperity.
Net migration accounts for much of the population rise and the right of free movement in the EU has certainly played a part over the last five years. But clearly we must have an immigration policy which works for both Scotland and the UK.
We are reconstructing the architecture of immigration and it's an ongoing process. That's why events like today's debate are so important.
For instance, the New Point Test for Citizenship reflects and responds to the new challenges we face. Just last week we published the responses to last summer's UK Government White Paper.
It reflects the need for new immigrants to accept core British values - to obey the law, speak English and pay taxes.
It must be a something for something society. Immigrants have to buy into this set of fair and responsible values. I believe that Scotland is a deep spirited country. But I hear the rumblings and people's misgivings.
Most Scots are welcoming to refugees and supportive of genuine asylum seekers. But they don't like seeing the system being abused. Or to see what they view as queue jumping within the Welfare State.
It's interesting to hear the worries of second and third generation Scots - their concerns that new immigrants need to abide by norms.
Public confidence is not helped by some politicians - whatever the facts of the case - consistently defending the right of all illegal immigrants to stay in the country. I make no apology for making the distinction between those who should come to Scotland and those who are here illegally.
We now have a thorough but fair immigration system - anchored in a points system which assesses the types of skills needed in this country. Based on a commitment to strong borders and controlled migration.
It's a three-pronged approach.
First, through tightening and refining the already successful immigration points system at the outset.
And through the Migration Impact Fund we will require newcomers from outside the EU to pay an additional charge to help the communities they will join. Scotland's share of the fund last year was just under £3 million and has under the Devolution settlement been transferred to the Scottish Government. Many ethnic groups and organisations that deal with migrants in Scotland still await news about how these funds will be used north of the Border. These decisions are a matter for the Scottish Government but I believe that the needs of migrants north and south of the Border are no different that those found in England. It is important that we can clearly show how these funds will benefit both immigrants and the communities they settle in.
Second, we are setting out the clearer expectations we will demand from people outside of the EU who want to stay in the UK permanently.
That's why UK citizenship will no longer remain an automatic right which comes with living here for a certain length of time. A Mori poll for the Home Office revealed that 70% of the public think that newcomers should earn the right to stay in Britain. Under Earned Citizenship a points based test would be applied at the Probationary Citizenship stage. It would therefore determine whether people move from Temporary Residence and on to the path to citizenship.
Once a person had passed the points test they then need to fulfil the requirements of Probationary Citizenship in order to proceed to Full Citizenship. It will be open to people to speed up this element of their journey through Active Citizenship.
Some of the components of earned citizenship are fundamental. Criminality will be a barrier - serious offenders will be deported.
And have a duty to learn English. We introduced language requirements for citizenship in 2004 - they are now are part of the Points Based System. And new language requirements for spouses are also planned. It's in no-one's interest if new immigrants can't speak the world's most popular language when they come to live here. Speaking English breaks down barriers and speeds integration. It's good for them and it's good for Britain. It's a fair thing to demand of those who want to settle here.
Thirdly, we have the most coordinated measures in place to strengthen our borders. The UK Border Agency is making full use of biometric visas and electronic border controls to combat visa abuse and to count people in and out at the border.
And finally, new measures mean that all course providers must meet the rigorous criteria of 'Highly Trusted Sponsors' of overseas students from 6 April. Sham colleges have no place in Scotland's world class education sector. Privately funded institutions will have to demonstrate an excellent compliance record on immigration - with overseas students both attending and passing their courses - otherwise we'll close them down.
We have zero tolerance for bogus colleges. They'll be refused registration at the outset.
The points-based system on entry and for citizenship means that we have simultaneously tightened and simplified a once complex process. And if we can attract the right people with the right skills to make the right contribution to the Scottish economy - then we all benefit.
Skilled immigrants have brought great benefits to the Scottish economy and have shaped and enriched Scottish life.
But we face two key issues.
First, our ageing population and the demand this places on services.
Second, the filling of new jobs as we emerge from recession. Of course, I'd like Scots or people from other parts of the UK to fill them all. We are always mindful of our responsibility to the people here already and the wider issues of upskilling the Scottish workforce and planning for recovery. But some posts remain unfilled and others require scarce skills.
That's why the expert Migration Advisory Committee reviews the impact of the Points Based system on the labour market and has a separate occupation shortage list for Scotland.
I want the skills gaps to be reduced and workers to be trained up here.
But Scotland still needs more ambitious, young people who can help drive economic growth and provide key services. Fortunately, since 2004, when Jack McConnell initiated the visionary Fresh Talent scheme, we've been ahead of the game.
I want to conclude by repeating that we are implementing a fair, simpler and transparent system and progress is ongoing.
It's a considered approach coupled with constructive action. Because a credible immigration policy must have responsibility, honesty and tough decisions at its heart. And these measures finally break the automatic link between temporary migration and citizenship.
Migration policy and implementation must benefit the whole of the UK but be sensitive to Scottish needs.
We want to ensure that migration works for Scotland and I'd like to hear your views on how it can.
We are also tightening the restrictions on the student visa route to Scotland. Driving out bogus colleges and making it harder for phoney students, who only want to work here. This in turn will assist the international reputation of our universities and colleges who have to compete for students in an increasingly demanding global world.
We recognise the contribution legitimate international students bring to Scotland and to our universities and colleges.
But we will not tolerate abuse of the system. Specifically, we're topping up the new rules for international students studying for lower level qualifications.
We're ensuring that these students demonstrate a good standard of English, equivalent to just below SCQF Level 5 in a foreign language. We're also reducing the hours they can work and curtailing the rights of dependants to accompany them.