Programme

We are building increased migration policy capacity in Scotland in constructive and evidence-based ways. 

Our programme is developed in consultation with key stakeholders, harnessing insights from lived and learned experience to ensure our work is grounded in realities of migration in Scotland.

‘Our peer research had a direct impact on the tender and service design of the new Scotland’s Migration Service.’

Shaina Gabi, MPS LEx Panel Representative

‘The MPS attitudes survey provides crucial insight infrastructure to inform and support the work of a wide range of stakeholders including policymakers, politicians, campaigners, and business’’

Prof. Bobby Duffy, KCL

Migration Policy Scotland develops new projects, with a central intention to create space for dialogue and generate impacts for policy and practice, in line with its programme priorities.

Our current priorities are:

  • Migration’s role in addressing population challenges with particular focus on rural areas and strategic mitigation.
  • Migration’s role in the Scottish economy with particular focus on Scotland’s changing workforce, just transition and the well-being economy
  • Implications of the changing composition of migration to Scotland, with particular focus on the increasing diversity of groups, routes and receiving locations.
  • Responses to migration in Scotland, with particular focus on public attitudes, and on understanding the needs and perspectives of both migrants and receiving communities.

We seek to work with diverse partners across Scotland. If you have a project that would benefit from collaboration with us, please get in touch.

Upcoming Events

Scroll down for information and links to recordings of our previous events

Ongoing Work

Migration Policy Scotland is looking for partners for work building resilience to extremism in Scotland. We need to build a broad coalition to counter the potential for racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant violence we have experienced recently.

Our representative survey of attitudes to immigration in Scotland includes data that highlights points of concern regarding the fragility of support for immigration in Scotland and an urgency to build more and stronger social connections that this work could draw on. We have found, for example, a significant increase since 2023 in the proportion of people favouring a reduction in immigration levels (increasing by 14 percentage points from 28% to 42%) and high levels of concern that immigration could lead to social conflict in Scotland (46%) as well as very low levels of social contact with migrants as friends, neighbours or even in casual daily interactions.

Our data also shows areas of strength that we can build on. These include: 50% taking a positive view on the impact of immigration in Scotland, particularly in filling jobs, enriching cultural life and meeting population needs (69%, 55% and 54% agree). Majority support for welcoming programmes (55%). And, widespread support for recruitment of workers from abroad – including 79% in the case of sectors with critical shortages, 78% for seasonal and temporary work and 61% for vacancies generally.

We urgently want to analyse the data we have further, to do follow up work that can dig beneath attitudes to understand what is driving them and what might change them.

We are looking for partners who can help us take that knowledge forward. We want to work with communities, media and political actors to change minds and change the debate.

Can you help us do that? Get in touch to explore how we can work together

MPS survey exploring attitudes and experiences of migration across Scotland is a central feature in our aim to provide insight infrastructure which can support wider work (our own and that of others) on migration in Scotland. More detailed understanding of what people across Scotland think and how views and experiences differ between social groups and in different parts of Scotland will help inform policy choices and debates. 

In Jan 2023 we commissioned the first representative survey of attitudes to immigration in the country for nearly a decade.  Read the report of our findings here. 

The second round of the survey took place in January 2024. Read our report here

Increased understanding of migrant experiences and support for new, imaginative and effective ways to confront challenges and inequalities are central to MPS work.  

This two-year project (2023 – 2025) aims to enhance strategic policy thinking on effective interventions to reduce financial disadvantage for low-to-middle income migrant households.

More

MPS is working with migrants who work on migration issues across Scotland. Our Migrant Lived Experience Panel is at the core of our community of practice and plays a central role in our work. Together we are developing a new approach to policy research and influencing that integrates migrants’ lived experience, going beyond a standard representative approach.

Find out more

Migration Policy Scotland offers paid internships to people from BAME backgrounds as part of our commitment to racial justice.  We aim to promote diversity in policymaking by giving those from BAME backgrounds accessible opportunities to begin and further careers in policy research and policy influencing.

Our “Diversity in Policymaking” Internship programme gives paid interns the chance to support the work of a specialist policy research and influencing organisation. Alongside our experienced staff, interns are supported to deliver on a range of tasks including: background research, events organising and report writing. 

We support learning and development throughout our internships through structured learning inputs and agreed development aims. 

Following on from the internship period at Migration Policy Scotland, interns can take up 2 follow-on mentoring sessions.  The mentoring sessions are with MPS Director, Sarah Kyambi, and aim to nuture potential and progression while provide sounding board for people from BAME backgrounds to discuss issues that can arise in the workplace. By talking through stumbling blocks and we develop strategies to support successful outcomes. 

Sign up to receive alerts on MPS internship opportunities. 

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In her own words: MPS first ‘Diversity in Policymaking’ intern, Hana, wrote this on her experience:

Reflecting on my internship at MPS has made me realise the number of opportunities I was afforded for personal and professional growth. The work was by no means just administrative, and I felt intellectually challenged by the different tasks I was set. In the two months that I was with MPS, I drafted a publication on specific migrant populations in Scotland, assisted with the preparation of three government-funded events, and developed MPS’ online brand and email system. I also had the chance to work in-person with the MPS team to deliver a panel event at the COSLA Conference Centre. 

Being part of a small but rapidly growing organisation like MPS gave me plenty of opportunities for both collaborative and independent working and I was able to obtain valuable feedback on the work I carried out.

During the internship:

  • I gained deeper knowledge of immigration systems and in particular, how they relate to migration in Scotland.
  • I learnt how to analyse and interpret data from the Office for National Statistics and the National Records of Scotland
  • I honed my skills in relation to setting realistic goals and managing time effectively to get tasks done efficiently and for relevant deadlines.
  • I developed skills in events planning and effective communication to ensure a smooth-running event.
  • I sat in on weekly team meetings which enabled me to understand how the tasks I was set worked towards MPS’ long-term goals. Given that the internship is remote, it was hugely motivating to be able to see the ‘bigger picture’ and watch as our work came together.
  • I had weekly one-to-one ‘Learning Inputs’ with the Director and Senior Researcher. These informal sessions were a valuable chance to discuss how the internship was going and learn from the experience of MPS’ team. Sessions that stand out include ‘Careers in Policy Work’ and ‘Advice on Postgraduate Courses’. As a recent graduate, the chance to discuss my future and seek advice was reassuring and made everything feel a bit less daunting. I really appreciated the time set aside for these sessions.

Without doubt, the highlight of this internship was the chance to work alongside Sarah and Becka. MPS is an organisation that ‘helps people think together and work together’ and this is reflected in the internal working environment they have created. From the very first day, I was welcomed into the team, and I felt valued and supported throughout the internship. I have immensely enjoyed my time at MPS and will take with me the skills and knowledge I have gained.

I would recommend anyone looking for an internship in migration/policy that is both challenging and rewarding to apply.

Listen to Hana talk about her experience at MPS

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Migration Policy Scotland offers internships on a rolling basis recruiting at different points in the year in relation to specific projects and outputs that involve work suitable for internships. Our paid internship opportunities are advertised and prospective interns are recruited through a structured application and interview process. We do our best to provide flexible internships (including part time) to broaden access.

Sign up to receive alerts on MPS internship opportunities

Migration Policy Scotland is developing work to support wider and more nuanced understanding of the relationship between migration and broader population concerns with particular focus on rural Scotland. We are interested in exploring ways to attract and retain rural populations and in linking policy issues and conversations to better understandings of diversity and inclusion in rural contexts.

We are currently working on a project exploring the role of migration in multi-level responses to rural depopulation with the support of an Insight Award from the Scottish Council on Global Affairs.  An online roundtable event on 1st September 2023  shared findings from the project and host a panel of international experts to discuss the benefits and challenges of multi-level initiatives and appropriate mechanisms for planning, implementing and evaluating policy interventions.

We are continuing to build partnerships and seeking further funding for this work. 

Past work:

Watch the recording of our online roundtable event on multi-level policy responses to rural depopulation.

Read a blog about the project and the roundtable event by MPS research assistant Hana Davis here.

Listen to MPS Senior Researcher Rebecca Kay discuss migration’s role in facing Scotland’s population challenges on Good Morning Scotland, 1 September 2022.

You can also read her blog on an MPS event in 2022: Rural Lives: Retaining diverse populations here (includes event recording and materials).

A key focus for Migration Policy Scotland is understanding the impacts of the new immigration system on the Scottish economy. What are the impacts on business in Scotland. What are the options for mitigating negative effects. 

Kicking off with a successful event that brought together representatives from business and with experts on labour markets and migration policy in June 2022, we are now seeking funding for further work.

Migration Policy Scotland is monitoring the UK’s new immigration system. Our analysis, commentary and events contribute to understanding how the system is working. Our work on the UK labour migration system and its impacts in Scotland brings together business representatives with government at local, Scottish and UK levels. 

Media, Interviews and Podcasts

TV Interview with MPS Director Dr Sarah Kyambi for a programme featuring a special report and analysis on how tigher immigration rules are affecting the South of Scotland and whether immigration rules are set to change

Quotes:

“In Scotland we are seeing really rapid changing composition of migration, who is coming in, where they are coming from, the routes they are coming in under have all changed quite significantly. And that means we need to understand better our new migrant populations and move on from a story that had been for a long time predominantly those from the EU, particularly Central and Eastern European countries”

“Kier Starmer faces a challenge that most western democracies are currently facing which is: we know our demographies are ageing, we know our economies need migration, and, we know our publics are skeptical… Politics needs to address public concerns but it also needs to explain to the public immigration in the context of a much fuller argument around social, economic and demographic needs…to really build an understanding that we need to make the best of immigration. We are going to need it, it will have its challenges, but we could meet those challenges…that would be a job that the Prime Minister should try to tackle head on”

To improve the evidence base on public opinion MPS commissions a representative survey on Scottish views of immigration. This provides insight infrastructure that supports work on migration across a wide range of stakeholders.

 

The survey findings have been cited in government reports, business publications and UK migration sector campaigns. It also attracts considerable media attention which is detailed below.

Coverage of the 2024 Survey

The report on the survey is available here

The Times, May 13, 2024

Immigration is vital for Scotland to flourish in the future (Comment piece by Sarah Kyambi)

Contrary to Conservative talking points many people would be happy to welcome more migrants who come to work

Now, more than ever, is the time to embrace with greater ambitionthe role immigration must playi our economy and society to build a future where we all can flourish.

The Times, May 13, 2024

Scots cool on immigration as 4 in 10 want numbers cut

People in Scotland are still more pro-immigration that those south of the border but attitudes are changing, according to a survey

The National, May 13, 2024

Most Scots want more to see more skilled immigrants coming to Scotland

Dr Sarah Kyambi, the director of Migration Policy Scotland, said: “The socio-economic and demographic challenges facing Scotland are immense, and migration will play an important role in meeting these. Our research suggests that the Scottish public wish to see a pragmatic response to these real-world challenges at a time when our politics and policymaking is implementing an ever-more restrictive regime. This risks squandering the opportunity for more rational, evidence-driven consideration of migration policy in favour of inflaming division.”

While Professor Bobby Duffy, a director at the Policy Institute, added: “This survey shows the Scottish public are nowhere near as negative or exercised about immigration as the rhetoric often suggests, which is a pattern we see repeated in UK-wide surveys. That’s not to say that people see no downsides or don’t want more control – but more see the benefits and need for immigration, particularly to support the economy”

Business Insider, May 13, 2024

Most Scots believe employers should be able to recruit from abroad

The majority of people in Scotland believe employers should be able to recruit from abroad to fill vacancies, suggesting a “pragmatic” approach to migration. The Migration Policy Scotland Attitudes to Immigration Survey found support for migration has “cooled”, with 42% of those questioned supporting a reduction in the number of immigrants coming to Scotland, up from 28% in last year’s survey.

However, the research found widespread acceptance of the need for employers to recruit from abroad and strong agreement that immigration helps to fill jobs for which it is hard to find workers nationally and locally.

Yahoo News, May 13, 2024

Scots want more skilled people coming to Scotland from overseas, poll says

Ireland Live, May 13, 2024

Most Scots want to see more skilled immigrants arriving, poll suggests

Scottish Daily Express, May 13, 2024

Scots want less migrants in Scotland in shattering blow to SNP’s Scexit claims

The Times, 14 May 2024

Universities ‘will be hit hard’ by new UK migration rules

Coverage of 2023 Survey

Below is a summary of the coverage including an interview with MPS Director Sarah Kyambi on BBC Radio Good Morning Scotland. You can access the 2023 report here.

Good Morning Scotland (BBC) – [Radio interview with Sarah Kyambi] 

September 14, 2023 

The latest news from home and abroad, along with sport, travel and weather updates. 

The Times – [Opinion piece by Sarah Kyambi] 

A welcome change in immigration attitudes 

September 14, 2023 

The Migration Policy Scotland Attitudes survey asked 1,162 adults across Scotland their views on immigration. This is the first representative survey of attitudes to immigration in the country for nearly a decade. The findings are startling: with the largest group (38 per cent) in favour of increasing migration and only 28 per cent calling for a reduction. This reverses 2014 figures where 58 per cent wanted to see immigration to Scotland reduced. There is much to tease out within the new data to understand more fully what people think, let alone why they think it, and a need for longer-term tracking of Scottish public opinion on this topic. 

The Herald  

Poll: Two-fifths of Scots want to see an increase in immigration 

September 14, 2023 

Scots are “broadly comfortable” with migration and almost three-fifths believe it has a positive impact on the country, a survey has found. The poll, which is the first study of attitudes to immigration in Scotland since 2014, also found a minority view the issue in a “more negative way”. The research for Migration Policy Scotland, conducted by Diffley Partnership, found while 59% describe immigration as positive, 18% feel it has had a negative effect, while 23% are unsure. 

STV News 

Almost two-fifths Scots want to see immigration increased, poll finds 

September 14, 2023 

Scots are “broadly comfortable” with migration and almost three-fifths believe it has a positive impact on the country, a survey has found. The poll, which is the first study of attitudes to immigration in Scotland since 2014, also found a minority view the issue in a “more negative way”. The research for Migration Policy Scotland, conducted by Diffley Partnership, found while 59% describe immigration as positive, 18% feel it has had a negative effect, while 23% are unsure. 

The Times  

Scots are changing their views on immigration 

September 14, 2023 

Scots have changed their views on immigration with opposition to newcomers falling by almost 50 per cent in a decade, a survey shows. According to the report published today by Migration Policy Scotland only 28 per cent of respondents wanted lower immigration levels compared with 58 per cent in 2014. 

The National 

Majority of Scots view immigration as positive, poll finds 

September 14, 2023 

SCOTTISH people are “broadly comfortable” with migration and almost three-fifths believe it has a positive impact on the country, a survey has found. The poll, which is the first study of attitudes to immigration in Scotland since 2014, also found a minority view the issue in a “more negative way”. The research for Migration Policy Scotland, conducted by Diffley Partnership, found while 59% describe immigration as positive, 18% feel it has had a negative effect, while 23% are unsure. 

Glasgow Times

Two-fifths of Scots want to see an increase in immigration

September 14, 2023

The poll, which is the first study of attitudes to immigration in Scotland since 2014, also found a minority view the issue in a “more negative way”. The research for Migration Policy Scotland, conducted by Diffley Partnership, found while 59% describe immigration as positive, 18% feel it has had a negative effect, while 23% are unsure.

Holyrood

Government makes fresh call for immigration controls as census confirms ageing population

September 14, 2023

It comes after a report from Migration Policy Scotland, which was carried out by Diffley Partnership at the beginning of this year, showed that Scottish attitudes to migration are changing, with 28 per cent of respondents saying they want lower immigration levels compared with 58 per cent in 2014.

 

Rebecca Kay talks to FAI economist Hannah Randolph  about attitudes to immigration in Scotland and some potential immigration policy directions for both the UK and Scottish governments. We also take a look at findings from our new research on Financial Disadvantage in Low-Medium Income Migrant Households. Listen here

Watch an interview with MPS’ Rebecca Kay on James Cleverly announcement of changes to reduce UK immigration. 

Sarah Kyambi contributes to Radio Scotland Morning with Stephen Jardine phone-in on the latest immigration statistics.

Listen again on our YouTube Channel.

Rebecca Kay talks to John Edward on research on migration and depopulation conducted for the Scottish Council on Global Affairs. On spotify here

This research was the focus of an MPS project and event – more information.

Edinburgh Museums: Symposium Exploring Current Perceptions of Migration, 31st August 2023

MPS Director Sarah Kyambi speaks at this symposium event to accompany Museum of Edinburgh exhibition ‘Local Foreigners: the human face of immigration’.

Watch the recorded symposium event here

MPS comment in The Scotsman, 5 February 2023

MPS Director contributes to this feature in the Scotsman on Sunday by Jane Bradley: “Immigration policy: How does Scotland and the UK compare to the rest of the world?”

BBC Documentary: Who Lives in Scotland?, 28 October 2022

MPS Director Sarah Kyambi provides commentary on migration in Scotland in this BBC Documentary. 

Presenter: Martin Geissler; Producer: Ross Harper

BBC Interview: Migration and Population, 1 September 2022

MPS Senior Researcher Rebecca Kay discusses migration’s role in mitigating population challenges on Good Morning Scotland

Centre for Constitutional Change Podcast, 1 July 2022

Listen to MPS Director, Sarah Kyambi, and Professor David Bell discuss the challenges migration raises for Scotland after Brext and Covid. Hosted by Nicola McEwen, this episode of Consitutionally Sound covers labour market and constitutional issues.

Common Weal Policy Podcast, 20 October 2021

In this Common Weal Policy Podcast episode, Craig Dalzell talks to Dr Sarah Kyambi, Director and Founder of MPS. They discuss the policy gaps in Scotland around migration, particularly outwith the areas of asylum and refugee migration, what Scotland is currently doing to close those gaps and where Scotland could be doing more.

WCPP Podcast: Post-Brexit migration and Wales, 15 January 2021

In this podcast from the Wales Center for Public Policy MPS Director, Sarah Kyambi, joins Prof Jonathan Portes, (King’s College London) and Llyr ap Garent, (Federation forSmall Businesses) in a discussion the likely impacts of post-Brexit migration policies and the options facing the Welsh government.

Past Events and Projects

This online event marked the mid-point of our project on Financial Disadvantage in Migrant Households.

We launched our report Open the Door: Migrants Facing Financial Disadvantage and their Needs for Support  and Policy Briefing: Including Migrants in Policy and Practice to Reduce Poverty 

These share the findings of our research and recommendations for government, local authorities, support services and employers.

The launch also marked the starting point for our policy laboratory which will drive change in policymaking and practice through co-development of  feasible, fundable and effective solutions

Watch the presentations and download the slides here

This online round table event discussed the role of migration in tackling rural depopulation and the benefits and challenges of initiatives involving multi-level stakeholders.

More information.

This event on Hong Kongers in Scotland brought together policy makers, practitioners and community organisations to share their knowledge and reflect on what can be done to shape the trajectories of a new migrant group that looks set to grow.

More information

This online panel discussion, brought together organisations offering advice on the Windrush Schemes in Scotland and working on mitigating their shortcomings across the UK.

More information

In this online workshop, Migration Policy Scotland brought together a panel of experts to discuss the policy-related issues surrounding migration into rural parts of Scotland.

More information

This Migration Policy Scotland event hosted two expert panel discussions on the experiences and support needs of EU nationals in Scotland.

More information

Alongside Sabir Zazai, Scottish Refugee Council and Dan Fisher, Geographer, MPS Director, Sarah Kyambi, took part in this panel at the Scottish Parliaments Festival of Politics

This Migration Policy Scotland event brought together expertise on migration and on the Scottish economy and business to assess the impacts of UK’s new immigration system in Scotland. How have businesses and the economy been impacted by the UK’s new immigration system? How have they responded? What are the benefits and challenges of the new system and how could any negative impacts be mitigated? 

More information

We started our journey here, building connections and sharing insights to incorporate migrant lived experiences across Migration Policy Scotland’s work.

More Information

RSA Fellows MCICH Network Fellow-led event, 25 January 2022

At an RSA Fellows’ MCICH Network Fellow-led event  MPS Director, Dr Sarah Kyambi, joins Prof. David Bell, University of Stirling, and Prof. Oscar Guadiola-Rivera, University of London, in a discussion with Dr Parag Khanna’s of his newly published: “Move” that considers the impact of migration on the future of human civilization.

More information

MPS Event with COSLA: UK Labour Immigration Post-Brexit: Local Authorities Experiences as Employers

We organised a closed event for Local Authorities on 5 November 2021

Read a blog by a participant from the event here

Migration Policy Scotland Launches

Our launch event on 29 October 2021, marked the start of our work as a new think tank, Migration Policy Scotland, promoting a constructive approach to migration in Scotland.

The Migration Policy Scotland Scoping Project

In 2019 the Migration Policy Scotland Project investigated the need for more policy capacity on migration in Scotland (outside of asylum and refugee migration). This scoping exercise was conducted as a series of conversations that explored:

  • What migration policy work is currently being undertaken in Scotland and what would be needed or viewed as useful?
  • What kinds of policy work should greater capacity on migration pursue?
  • What challenges arise and what opportunities would increase policy capacity in this area bring?
  • How and where would migration policy work be best be undertaken given the existing landscape of organisations in Scotland?

We spoke with over 50 people working with migrants or on migration issues across Scotland. This including workshops in Aberdeen and Glasgow. The resulting report was discussed at an online event in July 2020. On the basis of this consultation, we took the decision to found a think tank. Migration Policy Scoltand was set up. Our purpose is to promote a constructive approach to migration.

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