One in 5 EU migrants cannot speak English

NEARLY half of all migrants to Scotland are qualified to at least degree level, latest figures show.

But almost a fifth of recent incomers from European countries are unable to speak, read or write in English.

The Scottish Government said its official figures shore up its case for boosting immigration – despite a recent opinion poll showing strong public opposition to the policy.

Some 49 per cent of migrants held at least degree level qualifications, compared to 26 per cent of Scotland’s population as a whole, according to the statistics.

But they also show 19 per cent of recent migrants from the European Economic Area (EEA) have no grasp of English.

Previous figures have shown schools are struggling to cope with migrant children who lack fluency in English, placing pressure on teachers.

Last night, Tory MSP Alex Johnstone said: ‘Migrants are hugely important to Scotland’s economy, and many industries wouldn’t cope without them. But perhaps we wouldn’t be so dependent on migrant workers if the Scottish Government made more effort to link areas of mass unemployment with areas where there is a labour shortage.’

A total of 369,284 migrants, 7 per cent of the population, were resident in Scotland at the time of the 2011 Census.

As a result of the influx of migrants, yesterday’s report shows 170 languages other than English are now spoken.

‘Recent’ non-EEA migrants – those who arrived in the UK in the ten years prior to the 2011 Census – are most likely to be educated to degree level (60 per cent).

Migrants aged between 16 and 74 are as likely as the general population to be economically active, the Scottish Government report said. A quarter of ‘established’ migrants – who moved to the UK in 2001 or longer ago – reported their national identity as ‘Scottish only’.

Just over half (51 per cent) of established migrants arrived in the UK as children.

The majority (81 per cent) of all migrants live in urban areas and are less likely than the population as a whole to own their property.

Earlier this month, a major poll found that nearly two-thirds of Scots want to end immigration or cut the number of f oreigners allowed into the country.

Europe and International Development Minister Humza Yousaf said: ‘This data shows our migrant population is well-educated, works hard, is in good health and has much to offer our economy and society. At 369,000, our migrant community stands at 7 per cent of our population. Our migrants are typically younger than the Scottish population as a whole and are just as likely to be economically active as the rest of Scotland.

‘This data busts many of the misconceptions that exist about the impact and contribution of migrants. It demonstrates that most of our migrants are here to study, work and contribute.’