SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 07/09/05

Scottish Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane today called responded to a new study of immigration patterns with a call for Scotland to open up her borders to new immigrants

Rosie said:
"We welcome the publication of these figures, as they bust some of the myths
that exist around immigration.
"While some elements of the media will no doubt use bald figures like the overall 1m + population increase to whip up racism against asylum seekers and refugees, a glance at the statistics shows that Americans, Australians and South Africans are among the biggest groups of foreign born residents.
"Just 3.3 per cent of Scotland's population were born overseas, well below
the UK average.
"At a time when Scots are still emigrating, the birth-rate is dropping and the remaining population is ageing, this research shows yet again the need to abolish the racist immigration laws.
"We need skilled workers like nurses, primary school teachers, plumbers and carpenters - yet we refuse to let asylum seekers work, we lock families up in Dungavel and make it near impossible for anyone to come here.
"We have to tackle the racism that mars the experience of immigrants to Scotland - starting with the government's racist immigration laws."
[ends]