The Scotsman

As SNP preach a ‘welcoming home’, more Scots oppose immigratio­n

● Yougov poll finds almost half of Scots believe too many people are entering UK

- By CHRIS MCCALL chris.mccall@scotsman.com

The SNP has said Scotland remains a “welcoming home for all” despite a new poll finding a growing number of people in the country believe that too many people are entering the UK.

In a survey carried out by Yougov, 45 per cent of 1,029 respondent­s said the level of immigratio­n into Britain over the past few years had been too high. A total of 37 per cent of respondent­s said they thought the level had been “about right”, with 6 per cent saying they thought the level was too low.

A total of 11 per cent said they did not know whether the level was right or not.

The study, carried out last week, highlighte­d a rise in the number of people over the past year who thought immigratio­n levels were too high.

Analysis in June last year found that 38 per cent of respondent­s believed immigratio­n levels were too high.

Research suggests that 45 per cent of people who voted Yes in the 2014 Scottish independen­ce referendum believed that immigratio­n was too high.

A total of 77 per cent of Leave voters in the Brexit referendum said they thought the level was too high, whilst Conservati­ve voters are most likely to be opposed to more immigratio­n, with 65 per cent stating that view.

The Scottish Government has said that it will help support EU citizens to stay in Scotland and there have previously been calls for immigratio­n control to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament from Westminste­r.

Speaking at the SNP conference at the weekend, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I make no apology for taking the opportunit­y again today to send a message to all our fellow EU citizens.

“Whether you are studying or working in our universiti­es, saving lives in our health service, creating wealth in our business community, catering for our tourists or harvesting our food, wherever you are in Scotland and whatever you do, you are part of us. And with all our hearts, we want you to stay.”

The Scottish Government has repeatedly warned that a more restrictiv­e migration system could send Scotland’s recent population growth into reverse, with birth rates north of the Border falling to historic lows.

Last week, latest figures revealed Scotland’s population hit 5.44 million.

Migration was the main reason for the increase, with 20,900 more people coming than leaving, from both overseas and the rest of the UK, over the year to mid-2018.

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.

Inverclyde MSP Stuart Mcmillan told The Scotsman: “As the First Minister made clear to our party conference at the weekend, Scotland is a welcoming home for all people – those who have been here for generation­s and those who have just arrived.

“Migration has been an overwhelmi­ngly positive force for good in Scotland and we need it to continue to sustain our working age population, boost economic growth and maintain vital public services.”

He concluded: “Increasing­ly, right-wing Brexiteer Tories would rather end those benefits and we’d all suffer as a result.”

“Migration has been a positive force for good in Scotland and we need it to continue to sustain our population”

STUART MCMILLAN MSP

 ??  ?? 0 Nicola Sturgeon told the SNP conference at the weekend that Scotland is a ‘welcoming home for all’
0 Nicola Sturgeon told the SNP conference at the weekend that Scotland is a ‘welcoming home for all’

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