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Political correspondent Nick Eardley reports that Scotland is witnessing a shift towards less tolerance of immigration, as former first minister Humza Yousaf points out. Yousaf emphasizes that the “toxicity” surrounding the immigration debate in England has seeped into Scotland, leading to growing intolerance in both public and political spheres. This revelation was made during a BBC Radio 4 documentary titled “Scotland Wants You,” which explores the differences in Scotland’s attitudes towards migrants compared to the rest of the UK.
Yousaf, the first Asian and Muslim first minister of Scotland appointed in 2023, raises concerns about how politicians have ignored the “genuine but misplaced” worries of the public regarding immigration. He specifically criticizes the use of the phrase “we’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns,” which aims to portray a sense of unity among people of different backgrounds. Despite having used this phrase himself, Yousaf describes it as a mere “soundbite” to distract from real concerns about immigration. He notes that Scotland is unfortunately becoming more intolerant, with this sentiment evident in both public and political domains.
Sarah Kyambi, from Migration Policy Scotland, reveals findings from research conducted over the past three years regarding Scottish attitudes towards immigration. The think tank’s surveys have shown a cooling trend in attitudes towards immigration, with an increasing number of people expressing preferences for reduced immigration levels. Kyambi warns that Scotland is growing complacent in its stance towards immigrants, debunking the notion that there is widespread positivity among Scottish residents regarding immigration. The research highlights a shift in perspective from earlier surveys, where more people were in favor of increased immigration.
In a separate report by the Diffley Partnership and the David Hume Institute’s Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker in May, it was noted that immigration had entered Scots’ top five concerns for the first time. Statistics from the National Records of Scotland revealed that a significant portion of the country’s population growth was driven by overseas arrivals. Out of the 124,600 individuals who came to live in Scotland in the year leading up to mid-2024, 76,100 hailed from overseas. Richard Tice of Reform UK attributes the hardening attitudes towards immigration to the discrepancy between politicians’ promises of improved living conditions and the realities experienced by the Scottish people. He suggests that disillusionment arises when citizens do not witness the purported benefits of immigration, leading to skepticism and questioning of political narratives
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