IMMIGRANTS seeking British citizenship could stand a better chance by opting to live and work in Scotland.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said the proposal would form part of a summer consultation on a points system for citizenship.

He said: "We will be consulting on this new points-based route to citizenship and I am pleased to say living and working in Scotland is proposed as one way to earn points.

"Our need for a growing population is ranked alongside the need to recruit to occupations where we have shortages."

But he added: "While I am glad to see talented people from overseas coming here to enhance Scotland, migration must be managed."

MP Pete Wishart, SNP home affairs spokesman in Westminster, said the proposal was a move in the right direction but more needed to be done.

He said: "Only when immigration powers are devolved will we be able to find a Scottish solution to this Scottish problem."