Scotland’s population soars to record 5.44m despite ‘hostile environment’
● Increase comes as number of deaths outstrip births by 7,700
Scotland’s population has continued to increase and now stands at a record high of 5.44 million, the largest ever in the country for the ninth year running.
The Scottish Government have issued a stark warning that a ‘hostile environment’ at Westminster threatens migration which has increased the country’s population.
Figures published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) in the Mid-2018 Population Estimates for Scotland show the population grew by 13,300 people (0.2 percent) over the year to 30 June 2018.
Migration was the main reason for Scotland’s population increase with 20,900 more people coming than leaving, from both overseas and the rest of the UK, over the year to mid-2018.
In contrast, natural change (births minus deaths) did not contribute to Scotland’s population growth with 7,700 more deaths than births over the same period. This is the largest natural decrease on record.
Although Scotland’s population increased by 0.2 per cent over the year, the rate of population growth has slowed for the second year running.
This is due to a reduction in overall net migration (down 3,000 people from the year to mid-2017 – due to more peo - ple leaving Scotland to move overseas), an increase in the number of deaths (2,700 more than the year to mid-2017) and fewer bir ths (1,200 less than the year to mid-2017).
Scottish Government Migration Minister Ben Macpherson said: “Despite Scotland’s population reaching a record high, these statistics starkly illustrate the significant demographic challenges that we are facing.
“All of our population growth over the next 25 years is projected to come from migration yet this growth, and in turn our future prosperity, is under threat due to the UK Government’s ‘hostile environment’ immigration policies and their determination to end freedom of movement.”
Paul Lowe, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland said :“Migration continues to be the main driver of Scotland’s population growth – with more people coming to Scotland than leaving.
“Whilst the population has increased, the rate of popul at ion growth has slowed as a result of a reduction in net migration and more deaths than births in the last year.
“During this time we have seen a mixed picture regarding population growth with 18 of Scotland’s council areas seeing an increase in population compared to 14, mostly rural or island, council areas which experienced depopulation, three more than the previous year.”
Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, MP, said: “It’s difficult to devolve immigration powers unless you have some sort internal passport system within the UK. It would mean a major change to the devolution settlement and was not something the Smith Commission recommended.”
“Whilst the population has increased, the rate of population growth has slowed as a result of a reduction in net migration and more deaths than births”
PAUL LOWE
‘ The aim is to create here in Britain a really hostile environment for illegal migration.” Speaking in 2012 when she was Home Secretary, Theresa May was describing the UK Government’s attempts to ensure that life was made uncomfortable for people from other countries who overstayed their visas.
Vans with large signs telling ille - gal immigrants to “Go home or face arrest” were part of the strategy, along with a crackdown on employers who failed to check the status of their staff.
However, given her comments were made amid a broader drive to reduce net migration, illegal or not, there was always a chance that such policies and the accompanying rhetoric would start causing problems for overseas citizens here legally and, indeed, citizens of this country. And so it proved. The Windrush scandal saw people wrongly detained pending deportation and refused re-entry into the UK even though they were born in this country or as British subjects. Some lost their jobs or homes or were refused medical treatment. In April last year, Amber Rudd resigned as Home Secretary, noting the “justifiable outrage” and admitting she had “inadvertently misled” the Home
Affairs Select Committee over the issue. The ‘hostility’ towards illegal migration had spilt over to affect people who had done nothing wrong, the tough rhetoric creating a sour mood that some in Government perhaps beginning to regret.
In Scotland, the level of immigration has not been an issue in the same way as much of the rest of the UK. Most politicians agree that Scotland needs to attract people to move here because the number of births is currently running below the number of deaths. If we are to have enough people to pay taxes to support the rest of us in our dotage, we need migrants.
New figures from the National Records of Scotland show that the current population is at a record high of 5.44 million, after a rise of 13,300. But that figure would have fallen without net migration – from the rest of the UK and overseas – of 20,900 people.
Enforcing the law is important and unquestionably the right thing to do, but it must be done justly. And politicians would do well to choose their words carefully to avoid unintended consequences.
It is in Scotland’s interests to maintain a “friendly environment” to those from outside its borders and it’s also the right thing to do.