Blog: Migration discussion needs open hearts and minds

Blog by Susan Murray, Director, David Hume Institute

27th January 2020

At the launch of the Scottish Government’s policy paper “Migration, helping Scotland Prosper” today, it is clear we need open hearts and minds for Scotland to flourish.

The policy paper clearly lays out Scotland’s distinct demographic challenges.  The David Hume Institute research report Who will do the jobs? (September 2019) is quoted and our Autumn events with Jonathan Portes, Michael Anderson and Graeme Roy discussed this complex issue in depth.

All the evidence shows migrants are critical to the Scottish economy.  They are an important part of our working age population which funds our public services. Many of Scotland’s rural communities are dependent on migrant workers.

However, too often in conversations we have seen recently elsewhere in the UK, evidence and reasoned arguments don’t matter.  Food can rot in the fields because migrant labour no longer feels welcome, as long as the individual’s idea of a prosperous post Brexit future prevails. The pigs in blankets shortage may have been considered amusing by some but it was another sign of labour supply issues.

The message today from the First Minister was clear – Scotland is open.  But do all our communities feel that way?  Some of the views from the recent citizen assembly show they do not. 

The Scottish Government policy paper clearly makes the case for a different approach to migration in Scotland. However, when it is published on the same day the Scottish Government launches a Hate Crime fund for places of worship, it’s an indication much more needs to be done to appeal to people’s hearts to create a welcoming and tolerant Scotland for everyone to prosper together.