John Swinney: 'UK immigration changes will damage Scottish economy and NHS'

John Swinney has branded the UK Government’s immigration proposals as “damaging” to the Scottish economy, NHS, social care, and universities.

Keir Starmer announced changes to the system on Monday, including making migrants wait ten years rather than five to apply for settlement or citizenship, increasing required standards of English for those coming to the UK, and tightening tests on colleges and universities offering places to foreign students.

The UK Government said that “every part of the system is being tightened.”

Speaking to the media, the First Minister said the proposals “ignore the need to boost Scotland’s working age population”.

He said Starmer’s proposals used the sort of “divisive language” that “only plays into Nigel Farage’s hands”.

The Prime Minister’s statement on immigration today will damage our economy, the NHS, social care and our universities. It ignores the need to boost Scotland’s working age population.

This sort of divisive language only plays into Nigel Farage’s hands.

Not in Scotland’s name.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) May 12, 2025

“I think Keir Starmer walked right into the arms of Nigel Farage,” the First Minister said.

“Nigel Farage could have delivered that speech this morning.

“I can’t believe that Keir Starmer found himself able to deliver that speech, which just totally contradicts everything he’s ever said in the past.

“He’s obviously terrified of Nigel Farage.”

Scotland’s equalities minister urged Westminster to rethink their policies to “take account of Scotland’s distinct population needs”.

“The UK Government’s plans on migration stand in stark contrast to our values and they do not reflect Scotland’s distinct population needs,” Kaukab Stewart said.

“The Scottish Government is proud to welcome and support people from around the world to live, work, and build their lives in Scotland. Not only does migration enrich our communities and culture, it is vital for economic growth, public services like the NHS and addressing our population challenges.”

Stewart said any plans to end international recruitment of care workers will be “devastating” for the care sector in Scotland and across the UK.

In March, the Scottish Government said it provided a set of policy proposals to the UK Home Office while the White Paper on immigration was in development.

However, the Government has claimed there has been “no substantive engagement” from the Home Office on any of the Scottish Government’s policy proposals.

“I call on the Home Secretary to urgently work with us to deliver an immigration system which is reflective of Scotland’s needs, and avoids the harm to our economy, communities, and public services which the policy decisions in the white paper will lead to,” Stewart said.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has also suggested a need for at least partially different rules, similar to the Fresh Talent scheme put in place by the last Labour administration in Scotland.

“There will be a huge impact on employment in the National Health Service and on social care,” he said.

“We struggle in Scotland to have a large enough working-age population.

“The announcements today from the UK Government are going to make that even more difficult and there’s going to be some significant opportunities lost for the Scottish economy by the implications of these announcements.

“For our universities, for example, where we were arguing for there to be greater flexibility applied for university students to be able to stay for longer when they come as international students and that opportunity will be lost.”

Under the plans, the length of time students are allowed to remain in the UK after their studies will be reduced from two years to 18 months.