Scottish independence: ‘Foreign students can stay’

More foreign students should be encouraged to stay in an independent Scotland after graduation to help boost the economy, John Swinney has said.

Finance secretary John Swinney. Picture: Jane Barlow

The ginance Secretary expanded on plans to reintroduce a post-study visa, as outlined in the Scottish Government’s White Paper on independence last month.

The plan would allow recent graduates to stay in the country to work or set up a business, retaining skilled and educated graduates as part of the labour force.

Every thousand extra graduates working in Scotland boosts the country’s economy by an estimated £10 million and supports about 200 jobs, according to the Scottish Government.

Conservatives said that a significantly different immigration policy would require “some kind of border patrol”.

Mr Swinney said: “We should be encouraging more talented people from around the world to further their education in Scotland, providing income for our education institutions and contributing to the local economy and community diversity.”

“It is absurd that talented individuals are instead being discouraged from coming to Scotland. It’s an out-of-date approach that is not fit for a modern country.

“Immigration policies decided in Westminster simply do not fit Scotland’s needs, and they are hampering our ability to develop a thriving economy. We need to take steps to boost our working-age population, not measures that stop people from contributing.”

Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said: “This is another indication that the SNP wants to adopt a drastically different immigration policy than the rest of the UK. If that is the case, it is fairly clear that some kind of border patrol will have to be established in the event of separation.

“Why would the rest of the UK want to jeopardise its security just because Alex Salmond wants to go down a different route on immigration?

“It is naive for the Scottish Government to suggest, if policies like this are implemented, that the remaining UK would not view Scotland as a soft entry point for illegal immigrants.”

SEE ALSO

• Scottish independence: Labour’s case for keeping UK

• Douglas Alexander: Struggle, solidarity and social justice

• For all the news on the independence debate click here• Subscribe to The Scotsman Apple and Android tablet appsOur apps offer the latest news throughout the day as well as complete electronic copies of the newspaper.The apps - which are available on , and , have been designed to offer readers a dynamic way to keep up to date whether at home or on the move.They feature full articles, videos and picture galleries plus the ability to browse through complete downloadable editions of the paper which can also be read offline later.Print subscribers of The Scotsman are entitled to any version of the app to suit their device as part of their subscription.Alternatively readers can subscribe to the app through the app stores, and will get 30 days free access.