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Scotland Wants You

There's a perception that Scotland has a more liberal attituide to immigration, Nick Eardley asks if that's true and whether its beginning to shift.

Nick Eardley explores the Scottish dimension to one of the most contentious issues facing the UK 鈥 immigration. With lower birthrates and a population that鈥檚 aging faster, Scotland desperately needs people to come here and take up jobs in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and hospitality. And now with Reform biting at their heels Labour plan to adopt a much tighter immigration policy. So does this 鈥榦ne size fits all鈥 immigration policy risk making Scotland鈥檚 problems worse?

Nick鈥檚 investigation probes into another central question: are higher immigration levels something that the average Scot is ready to accept? On the surface, Scotland presents itself as a hospitable, inclusive country, known for its strong values of egalitarianism. It avoided last year鈥檚 wave of immigration riots which hit parts of England and marred Labour鈥檚 first few weeks in power but recent protests outside asylum hotels in places like Perth and Falkirk suggest public opinion is shifting.

The recent rise in support for Reform UK reveal a complex picture. While there鈥檚 much enthusiasm for Scotland from immigrant communities, there are surprising undercurrents of resentment surfacing.

Nick will explore the often contradictory narratives and perspectives surrounding immigration in Scotland. His journey will uncover whether Scotland鈥檚 reputation for openness aligns with current attitudes, or if this image masks deeper ambivalences - does the old Scottish adage, about inclusivity - 鈥淲e鈥檙e all Jock Tamson鈥檚 bairns,鈥 still reflect the country today?

Presenter: Nick Eardley
Producer: Peter McManus
Sound: Gav Murchie

Release date:

28 minutes

On radio

Sunday 13:30

Broadcasts

  • Sunday 13:30
  • Monday 16:00
  • Tuesday 05:04

Podcast