What might Boris Johnson’s immigration proposals mean for Scotland?

This blog provides an analysis of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposals for a new Australian-style points-based immigration system in the UK, and its implications for Scotland. It was originally published by SPICe (Scottish Parliament) on 25 September 2019. A new Australian-style immigration system? In June 2019, in his first speech to the House of Commons […]

Brexit Scenarios: what might happen next?

This blog offers a scenario analysis of the possible Brexit outcomes facing the UK in the late Summer of 2019, including a Deal, Extension to Article 50, No Deal, Parliamentary legislation on Brexit, and Revoking Article 50. It was originally published by SPICe (Scottish Parliament) on 30 August 2019. Possible Brexit Scenarios As the Scottish […]

Brexit and EU migration: where are we now?

Ending free movement This blog provides an analysis of ongoing discussions relating to the UK’s post-Brexit immigration policy, and its implications for Scotland. It was originally published by SPICe on 12 April 2019. As the House of Commons continues to debate whether and how the UK should exit the European Union, it is helpful to […]

The UK Migration Advisory Committee’s response to regional variation in the immigration system

This blog examines the response of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) – which the Home Office tasked with examining the impacts of EEA migration and designing a new migration system for the UK post-Brexit – to the Scottish Government’s calls for variation. It was originally published by SPICe (Scottish Parliament) on 29 October 2018. You can read […]

After Brexit: Migration Advisory Committee Proposals on Future EU Migration to the UK

This blog examines the Migration Advisory Committee’s analysis on the impacts of migration from the European Economic Area (EEA) (EU member states plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein), and its proposals for freedom of movement and skilled labour. It was originally published by SPICe (Scottish Parliament) on 29 October 2018. You can read more about the […]

Post-Brexit immigration policy: The implications of Sajid Javid’s proposals

This blog provides an analysis of the implications of the Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s immigration proposals. It was originally published as a blog in the Politics Means Politics magazine on 13 October 2018. In the last few days, immigration has re-emerged as a key battleground in the Brexit negotiations. Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Prime […]

We Need A Mental Health Revolution To Secure Gender Equality

This blog was written by Dr Eve Hepburn and originally published by HuffPost on 9 March 2018. This year, International Women’s Day, which was observed on Thursday, is poised to be one of the most widely celebrated in its history. The past twelve months have seen women’s rights take centre stage as stories of sexual […]

Immigration – the first big battleground between Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon

NICOLA Sturgeon is on a collision course with the new Prime Minister over immigration and independence may prove her best option to protect EU nationals already in Scotland, according to Dr Eve Hepburn. Now that Theresa May has been crowned UK Prime Minister, the Scottish government will be waiting with baited breath to see how […]

‘We won’t let you down!’ Scotland’s approach to EU nationals

Eve Hepburn explores the SNP government’s approach to EU nationals in the aftermath of the vote for Brexit.  One of the issues that appears to have infuriated First Minister Nicola Sturgeon the most in the post-EU referendum political turmoil is the insecurity it has created for EU nationals living in Scotland. This was evident in […]

How might Scotland maintain its membership of the EU?

In the aftermath of the vote for the UK to leave the EU, several possible scenarios could allow Scotland to remain in, writes Eve Hepburn. She argues that, while it may prove difficult for Scotland to block Brexit or to keep EU membership while the rest of the UK leaves, it would also face challenges […]