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Scotland’s ESOL Conference24 November 2009
Mhoraig Green and Lorraine Cook
Strategic Migration Partnership
Strategic Migration Partnership
• Political lobbying organisation for local government in Scotland
• The representative voice of Scotland’s 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
Role of COSLA
Strategic Migration Partnership
Strategic Migration Partnership’s 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
country’s demographic needs.
Strategic Migration Partnership
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
Strategic Migration Partnership
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
Strategic Migration Partnership
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
Strategic Migration Partnership
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.
Strategic Migration Partnership
‘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
Strategic Migration Partnership
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.
Strategic Migration Partnership
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
Strategic Migration Partnership
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
Strategic Migration Partnership
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?
Strategic Migration Partnership
Team Contacts
Derek Mitchell, Policy Manager [email protected]
Lorraine Cook, Policy [email protected]
Mhoraig Green, Policy [email protected]
