Scotland’s immigration policy would be “a complete nightmare” if it became independent, according to Scottish Secretary Michael Moore.
Scottish Government economists say Scotland needs more immigrants to balance the strain of an ageing population, but this could lead to “a vastly divergent immigration policy” from the rest of the UK, Mr Moore told business leaders in Dunfermline.
He also dismissed suggestions from a former Scottish Office adviser that the UK Government is “likely” to shelve plans for further devolution if Scotland votes No to independence.
Some experts say Scotland would be forced to sign up to the Schengen passport-free travel area if it becomes an independent member of the European Union.
This in turn would require checkpoints at the border with England, it has been argued, as the UK has a long-standing opt-out of Schengen and the right to check passports upon entry to the country.
The Scottish Government dismisses these claims and says it will negotiate to keep the opt-out of Schengen, while it also points to the free-travel agreement between the UK and Republic of Ireland.
According to Mr Moore, this agreement only works because the UK and Ireland have similar immigration policies.
“Schengen applies on the Continent and enables the free movement of citizens without passports in return for certain guarantees on external border controls,” he said.
“There are common travel areas between northern and southern Ireland but in terms of immigration, that is basically practicable because we work hard together and our policy terms are very much aligned.
“For Scotland to negotiate its way out of Schengen is a big ask but if we have some kind of common travel area, that is completely at odds with what I hear from the policy intent that Scotland would have a different immigration policy.”
The Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers says population growth leads to a larger working-age population and has the potential to increase the size of the economy, but also says that this cannot be achieved by births alone at the current rate.
Mr Moore said: “You just can’t have a vastly divergent immigration policy without a strong border. I represent more of the land border with Scotland than anybody else in Parliament and I can tell you that it would be a complete nightmare.”
Mr Moore added he is “confident” Scotland’s devolution journey will continue after the referendum.
Economist Gavin McCrone, who spent two decades as chief economic adviser to successive secretaries of state for Scotland, has said that the UK Government is “likely” to shelve plans for further devolution if Scotland votes No.
In a book released today, Mr McCrone writes: “If independence is rejected, there is a real danger that politicians at Westminster and officials at Whitehall may think that they can put away the files and not worry about Scotland any more.
“Proposals for increased devolution might then be shelved. That is quite a likely outcome but would be a huge mistake.”
Mr Moore said: “I don’t think you can put this debate away. I think it is encouraging that all parties who are in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK are all talking about those further powers.”