Scots WON'T need passports to get into England, Humza Yousaf says

Revealed: SNP’s ‘fantasy’ plan to open an independent Scotland’s borders to EU migrants – and Humza Yousaf claims there WON’T be any need to show passports to get into England

First Minister reveals fifth paper in series outlining SNP plans for independence

Humza Yousaf today unveiled plans to open up an independent Scotland to free movement for EU migrants.

The SNP leader revealed the fifth paper in a series outlining the Scottish Government’s proposals for separation from the UK.

The document, titled ‘Citizenship in an independent Scotland’, set outs Mr Yousaf’s wish to sign up to full EU membership after breaking ties with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The 38-page paper suggests an independent Scotland would adopt a citizenship model similar to that of the Republic of Ireland.

It states an independent Scotland would ‘encourage people to live and work permanently in Scotland’ such as through slashing citizenship fees for migrants.

And, while the document also proposed new burgundy-red ‘Scottish passports’ for Scots after independence, it claimed there would no need for any passport checks when Scots cross the border with England or travel to Northern Ireland.

Critics hit out at the Scottish Government’s ‘fantasy’ plans for independence.

Humza Yousaf unveiled plans to open up an independent Scotland to free movement for EU migrants

The SNP leader revealed the fifth paper in a series outlining the Scottish Government’s proposals for separation from the UK

Mr Yousaf hailed his Scottish Government’s plans as ‘inclusive’ and ‘bold’, claiming they would ‘help boost both our population and economy’

The 38-page paper suggests an independent Scotland would adopt a citizenship model similar to that of the Republic of Ireland

The document proposed new ‘Scottish passports’ for Scots after independence, but claimed there would no need for any passport checks when Scots cross the border with England

The paper stated that new Scottish passports would ‘follow EU standards’ and so replace the post-Brexit blue passports for UK citizens with a return to the EU’s burgundy red colour

Independent Scotland to ditch post-Brexit blue passports and return to EU’s burgundy colour

The UK returned to issuing blue passports rather than burgundy ones after Brexit

An independent Scotland would ditch post-Brexit blue passports and return to the EU’s burgundy colour, it was revealed today.

In its latest paper on independence plans, the Scottish Government said it would ‘follow EU standards’ when issuing new travel documents after breaking away from the UK.

‘Under our proposals, planning for new Scottish passports would follow EU standards and technical requirements,’ the 38-page document said.

‘Scottish passports would also follow the EU recommended layout, size and colour: they would be available in lengths of five years for children and ten years for adults and would be burgundy red.’

Since leaving the EU, the UK has returned to issuing blue passports rather than the burgundy documents that were distributed as part of Britain’s membership of the Brussels-based bloc.

Mr Yousaf hailed his Scottish Government’s plans as ‘inclusive’ and ‘bold’, claiming they would ‘help boost both our population and economy’.

‘Scotland’s working population is being hit by a heartless Westminster migration system that isn’t fit for purpose and a hard Brexit that Scotland didn’t vote for, making our population challenges significantly worse,’ the First Minister added.

‘The Scottish Government wants to make it easier for people, including those seeking to reconnect with family roots, to gain citizenship and contribute to our economy, society and public services like the NHS.

‘And when we re-join the EU as an independent country, Scottish citizens will be able to enjoy all the benefits of EU citizenship too.’

The Scottish Government’s latest independence paper claimed, even if an independent Scotland signed up to the EU, Scots would still maintain freedom of movement across the rest of the UK and Ireland due to membership of the Common Travel Area.

It also stated Scotland would not have to fully become part of the EU’s Schengen zone, which abolishes passport and other types of border controls between the bloc’s member states.

‘As a result of the CTA arrangements, there would be no new passport or immigration checks at any of an independent Scotland’s land, sea or air border points with the UK and Ireland, and British, Irish and Scottish citizens would have the right to move freely within the CTA,’ the paper said.

‘Scottish citizens would also be able to take full advantage of their rights as EU citizens, just as citizens of Ireland do.

‘The logic for there being special arrangements in EU law between Ireland and the UK would apply equally to an independent Scotland.

‘The goal of the European project is to remove borders across the EU, not to introduce them where they do not currently exist.’

The document said the Scottish Government’s ‘priority’ in its migration policy was to ‘encourage people to live and work permanently in Scotland’.

‘We would want to remove disincentives to people choosing to settle here and make a commitment to our communities and economy,’ the paper added, as it oulined plans to make citizenship fees cheaper than the current UK equivalent.

The document set out four ways that people would become a Scottish citizen after independence.

These are automatic entitlement on the day of independence; by birth after independence; by registering as a Scottish citizen; or by applying to become a Scottish citizen.

Scottish citizenship would be open to those living in Scotland, those born in Scotland, those who have a parent who was a British citizen born in Scotland, or those who had previously lived in Scitland for at least ten years, or five years as a child.

The paper stated that new Scottish passports would ‘follow EU standards and technical requirements’ and so replace the post-Brexit blue passports for UK citizens with a return to the EU’s burgundy red colour.

‘Under our proposals, planning for new Scottish passports would follow EU standards and technical requirements,’ the document said.

Donald Cameron, a Scottish Conservative MSP, accused the SNP of ‘retreating to their independence comfort blanket’ as they face a series of scandals.

‘This latest self-indulgent paper touting independence is not just a blatant misuse of public money and resources by the SNP, it demonstrates how out of touch they are with the public,’ he said.

‘It’s a sign of Humza Yousaf’s weakness that he is once again obsessing on breaking up the UK – because it’s the only issue his feuding party can agree on.

‘Rather than wasting taxpayers’ money and civil servants’ time on pushing a divisive, party political agenda, a strong leader would be concentrating on the issues that matter to Scots – unacceptable NHS waiting times and the cost-of-living crisis.

‘As for tackling population decline, the SNP’s policy of making Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK is an active disincentive to people settling here.’

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said the paper was ‘more therapy for Humza Yousaf and the nationalist movement than a serious attempt to persuade people to support their cause’.

‘Even if it is just for a few hours, it must be a great relief to be distracted from broken ferries, ever longer waiting lists and a social care backlog that mushrooms,’ he added.

The anti-independence Scotland In Union campaign said: ‘Taxpayers will find it galling that the SNP is forcing them to bankroll another fantasy document.

‘There are so many other matters the Scottish Government should be focusing on.’

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