Brexit would leave EK communities at risk
Report shows areas here will suffer when we leave
NICOLA FINDLAY
Communites in East Kilbride are among the most vulnerable from the risks of Brexit according to a new report by the Scottish Government.
Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) have researched more than 7000 localities across Scotland to create a Brexit Vulnerabilities Index (BVI).
It comes as EU leaders have agreed in principle to extend Brexit until January, 31 – meaning the UK will not leave as planned tomorrow (Thursday).
The BVI research analysed each of Scotland’s 7000 datazones - local areas used for developing statistics - and took into account factors such as access to services, population change, the working age population and EU funding.
Each datazone is ranked from one to 10 with areas ranked one and two most at risk from Brexit.
The statistics show that more than 46,000 people in South Lanarkshire are included in the most vulnerable 20 per cent.
And in East Kilbride, Birniehill, Kelvin and Whitehills East was ranked at one - the greatest risk from Brexit – with Stewartfield West at two and Mossneuk and Newlandsmuir at three.
East Kilbride West Independent Councillor, David Watson, whose ward covers Stewartfield, said: “The report highlight that approximately 46,300 people in South Lanarkshire will be vulnerable to the consequences of Brexit and a number of these people live in East Kilbride West.
“Reports like this make it even more important that any Brexit deal is properly scrutinised and should not be pushed through without proper scrutiny as the Prime Minister and Tory Party is trying to do.
“The report goes to show that there are far reaching consequences including access to services, income, deprivation, employment amongst other issues. This should not be treated lightly, therefore any decision going forward should be taken in full knowledge of all of the facts and consequences.”
A small part of Easglesham and Waterfoot was also deemed the most at risk with a Brexit vulnerability decile of two.
At the other end of the scale, Strathaven North and St Leonard’s North were among the 60 areas least at risk of Brexit in South Lanarkshire.
East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani said: “This Brexit impact report is a stark reminder that every part of the country, including East Kilbride, will be negatively affected one way or another, as a result of our departure from the EU.
“It is staggering to think the UK Government have not and will not perform an economic impact assessment on Boris Johnson’s new deal.
“It is clear there is an impasse in Parliament and one way of clearing that is to have a General Election. The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain and it is time our voices were heard.”
East Kilbride Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP, Dr Lisa Cameron, said: “This is the human cost of Brexit that is being ignored by Boris and his cheerleaders.
“The UK Government’s economic analysis indicate that all Brexit scenarios have an adverse impact and I am deeply concerned this will affect the most vulnerable, because they have no safety net. I will continue to ensure that the voice of our those affected in our constituency is heard.”
But former East Kilbride Councillor and now Central Scotland Tory MSP Graham Simpson had branded the report “worthless”
He said: “This is a Scottish Government report and we all know that they are doom-mongers when it comes to Brexit.
“The report is pretty much worthless in my view because the SNP want Brexit to fail. They have nothing positive to say about the benefits of being free from the shackles of Brussels bureaucracy. All parts of the country stand to gain from Brexit if it ever happens.”
But in their findings, researchers from RESAS said: “The risks presented by Brexit are anticipated to have significant social and economic consequences for all areas of Scotland.”
While the report identified rural areas being at the most risk “areas within cities and large urban areas were also found to be in the most vulnerable datazones”.
Conservative councillor Ian Harrow, said it would be better for his constituents “and, indeed the whole country,” if MPs of all parties “stopped playing games and scoring political points” in order to implement the result of the referendum.
He added: “Once a departure from the EU has been effected, individuals, firms and government (national and devolved) will be better able to adapt to the new conditions.
“We did it after the 1975 confirming our entry to the European Community; we can do it again.”