(c) GETTY IMAGES
The Scottish Government will spend around £25 million to help those EU nationals working in our schools, universities and hospitals by paying the naturalisation application fee for them. It currently costs £1 282 to apply for naturalisation and the UK government has said they will be able to apply for it if they have lived in the UK for five years at the point of Brexit. Given that are around 200 000 EU nationals living in Scotland altogether, I suppose paying for them all would a bit much.
Nicola Sturgeon will announce the promise at the SNP Conference and describe it as a way of protecting this group from the ‘looming threat of Brexit.’ She will also urge private employers to do the same to help retain the workers they value.
This strikes me as another good idea from a government that seems to actually care about its people rather than merely its own survival.
Talking-up Scotland 
A bit like a social democracy? The Conservative and Opportunist Party will not like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nor would they ever think of it? Help anyone? Noooo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi all – This strikes me as a really clever and substantial move by the SNP Scottish Govt – Challenging the UK Govt to make the equivalent offer to public sector workers south of the border. Hopefully it will help to shame the UK govt into keeping any enforced’ residency fees’ to a sensible figure (nil pounds and nil pence would be a good start).
Cheers, ludo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, well-judged pricing
LikeLike