Scotland

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Strategic Migration Partnership

• Scotlands ESOL Conference
• 24 November 2009
• Mhoraig Green and Lorraine Cook

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Role of COSLA

• Political lobbying organisation for local
  government in Scotland
• The representative voice of Scotlands 32 local
  authorities
• Promotes local governance and the perspective of
  local authorities
• COSLA Strategic Migration Partnership
• Policy focus on migration issues generally
• Supports local government to develop a strategic
  response to migration
• Works with different spheres of government
  (Scottish and UK) to develop a tripartite
  approach to migration

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Strategic Migration Partnerships Vision

• To work across the spheres of government in
  Scotland and with other key stakeholders to
  ensure that Scotland is a welcoming place for new
  migrants, and to support the retention and
  integration of people in a way that helps meet
  our countrys demographic needs.

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Our work is focused on

• Migrants from the European Union (particularly
  the accession states)
• Migrants entering the UK through the Points Based
  System
• People seeking asylum
• Refugees
• Victims of immigration crime, such as the victims
  of trafficking

5
Development of citizenship requirements

• ESOL requirements introduced for British
  Citizenship applicants introduced in 2004, and
  Life in the UK test introduced 2005
• Concept of Earned Citizenship introduced in
  2008
• Earned citizenship framework established in
  Borders, Citizenship Immigration Act 2009

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Development of citizenship requirements

• Earned citizenship based on the principle that
  British Citizenship is a privilege which must be
  earned, providing mechanisms to speed up or slow
  down the journey towards settlements
• Borders, Citizenship Immigration Act 2009

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Development of citizenship requirements

• The 2009 Act introduced a period of probationary
  citizenship
• The route to citizenship can be accelerated
  through a demonstration of active citizenship
• The route to citizenship can be slowed down or
  stopped altogether by criminality
• The Government has committed to implementing the
  changes by 2011.

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Earning the Right to Stay Consultation

• Over the summer UK Border Agency has sought views
  on how to build upon and strengthen the principle
  of earned citizenship. The key proposals made in
  the consultation are
• Introducing a points test for citizenship
• An enhanced role for local authorities in
  delivering earned citizenship and
• Mechanisms for supporting integration

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Points Test for Citizenship

• A flexible system to control the number of people
  progressing to probationary citizenship.
• Attributes that should attract points (e.g.
  earning potential, qualifications, shortage
  occupations, English language, location, special
  merits).
• Points deducted for failure to meet integration
  requirements.

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New roles for local authorities in delivery

• Build upon the Nationality Checking Service model
  and provide a check and send service for
  applicants
• This could include verifying active citizenship
• Provide advice and signposting coordination
  service
• Host orientation days
• Continue to organise citizenship ceremonies

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Promoting integration

• Requirement for applicants to meet English and
  Knowledge of UK Life at both probationary
  citizenship and British citizenship stages.
• Two-stage tests are based on information relevant
  at each stage
• Two-stage test requires a higher standard of
  English for the second stage
• Mentoring schemes and orientation days
• New stakeholder group to aid development and
  implementation of integration strategies

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Discussion Topics

• The Points Based System what should attract or
  deduct points?
• The local authority checking services
• The two-stage requirements for ESOL and Knowledge
  of Life in UK
• Should testing require a higher level of English
  at the second stage?
• How could tests be linked to Scottish ESOL
  qualifications?
• What should orientation days involve?

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Team Contacts

• Derek Mitchell, Policy Manager
• derek_at_cosla.gov.uk
• Lorraine Cook, Policy Officer
• lorraine_at_cosla.gov.uk
• Mhoraig Green, Policy Officer
• mhoraig_at_cosla.gov.uk