SNP shelves push for Holyrood immigration powers in policy reversal

The Scottish Government has quietly shelved its policy that Scotland should have full powers over immigration, according to internal correspondence released under freedom of information laws. The move marks a sharp U-turn from the SNP’s long-held belief that Holyrood should have the power to decide immigration and asylum matters north of the border, independent of Westminster. The shift comes as tensions flare over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels and student accommodations in Scotland, with officials now signaling a preference for reform within the existing devolved framework rather than full devolution of immigration powers.

The change was outlined in a May paper prepared to respond to the UK Government’s Immigration White Paper. The document notes that while the Scottish Government is seeking a reform and redesign of the immigration system, its policy position is not to seek devolution of immigration powers. Instead, it describes a strategy focused on tailoring migration to Scotland’s distinct demographic and economic needs, including proposals such as a Rural Visa Pilot and a Scottish Graduate Visa. The paper reiterates a desire to engage seriously with the UK Government on these proposals even as it acknowledges that many aspects of immigration policy remain reserved to Westminster.

The revelation of the policy’s shift underlines a broader disagreement within Scottish politics over how to handle immigration and asylum, a dispute intensified by protests and criticism of housing arrangements for asylum seekers across the country. Critics say the SNP has misled voters by presenting one position publicly while privately pursuing another. They point to First Minister John Swinney’s recent emphasis on a “separate” approach to immigration and to comments by equalities minister Kaukab Stewart expressing frustration that asylum decisions remain reserved to the UK Government as recently as September 10. In April this year, SNP MP Stephen Gethins even attempted to use a private members bill at Westminster to secure the transfer of powers, highlighting the party’s historical push for more control in Scotland.

The documents come amid mounting pressure on Scotland’s asylum system. Official figures earlier this year indicated that Glasgow hosted more asylum seekers than any city in Britain, a situation that has strained local resources and prompted council warnings about capacity and funding. In early 2025, Glasgow and several other councils called for pauses or changes in the intake to avoid compromising public services. Demonstrations outside migrant hotels have grown more frequent, with events described by officials as distasteful or unacceptable by Mr Swinney, even as protesters argue for more humane or practical solutions to housing and integration.

In one notable episode, about 150 demonstrators gathered outside the former railway station hotel in Perth, a site used to house asylum seekers, drawing attention to local concerns about safety and capacity. Protests have also targeted the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk, where activists have voiced frustration over how asylum accommodation is managed. The Cladhan Hotel has been tied to a high-profile case involving a 29-year-old Afghan asylum seeker who, after arriving in the UK, faced charges related to the rape of a 15-year-old girl, a development that has intensified debate about screening and housing policies. The Mail on Sunday has reported on the man’s travel across multiple European cities prior to his arrival in the UK, data that has fed wider discussions about border controls and the management of asylum seekers.

Officials stress that the protests reflect broad concerns about the rapid growth of asylum accommodation and the strain on public services, rather than disagreement over every policy detail. A Scottish Government spokesman said the government believes decisions around immigration should be made in Scotland. While many aspects remain reserved, the spokesman added, Scotland has proposed a pragmatic approach to migration that recognizes its distinct economic needs, including the Rural Visa Pilot and the Scottish Graduate Visa, and urged the UK Government to engage seriously with these proposals.

Reaction to the policy shift has been swift. Scottish Labour’s Neil Bibby criticized the SNP for what he described as public statements that diverge from private positions, arguing the party has not offered credible solutions and should clarify its stance with MPs and MSPs who appear unaware of the shift. He suggested that the SNP’s emphasis on “open borders” in some public discourse contrasted with a more guarded approach in government circles. The broader political context remains unsettled as opposition parties press for a clearer plan on immigration and asylum policy within Scotland and its relationship to UK-wide frameworks.

The policy reversal also highlights a wider debate about how best to manage asylum dispersals in Scotland, including housing in hotels and temporary residences, while ensuring that local authorities have the funding and capacity to provide services. As the UK Government continues to review the Immigration White Paper, Scottish officials say they are open to reform that respects Scotland’s needs but stop short of seeking full devolution of immigration powers. The government’s current stance, as reflected in the May memo, is to pursue reform within the existing constitutional arrangement, while continuing to push for tailored routes that could ease stress on councils and services across the country.

Overall, the disclosures underscore the complexity of aligning Scotland’s aspirations with the UK-wide immigration system. For residents watching the housing and asylum debate unfold, the new position marks a shift in how the Scottish Government intends to address ongoing pressures—from hotel and student accommodation demands to questions about border and welfare policy—without conceding the full sovereignty over immigration powers that some SNP lawmakers have long championed. As the UK Government proceeds with its reviews and possible reforms, Scotland’s approach to immigration will likely remain a focal point of political contention and public scrutiny in the World arena.