4th Special Report - Demography of Scotland and the implications for devolution: Government Response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2016–17

This is the government's response, published 20 January 2017.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government accepts that inward migration is necessary for Scotland and says it will keep working with the Scottish Government, but it "does not intend to re-introduce a general post-study work scheme for Scotland".

• On migration, the Secretary of State says he accepts that inward migration is necessary for Scotland's prosperity, and that the Scottish Government has "significant policy levers" to attract people.
• On post-study work, the government states that its immigration system is "designed for the whole of the UK" and that there is "no limit" on international graduates of UK universities moving into skilled work.
• On the Tier 4 pilot, the government says that if it is successful it will be rolled out more widely, which "in all likelihood could include universities in Scotland".
• On funding, the government believes population and demographic change "should be treated consistently" within block grant arrangements, with a transitional period until 2021/22.

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