Scotland:society and culture

‘Except for viewers in Scotland’. This announcement, heard frequently on television, has always highlighted for viewers that Scotland was about to receive its own news, current affairs, sport or other programmes, separately from England and Wales. In other words, it signalled ‘difference’ – that Scotland, while part of the UK, was nevertheless somehow different and distinctive – and in this chapter, we explore some of those distinctions. We begin by examining the strengthening of national identity, before moving on to look at education, employment, gender, ethnicity and culture. Taken together, these various aspects of society will hopefully help us to understand better that distinctiveness. We will conclude the chapter with a look at current research into Scottish society and consider the state of the discipline

Indifference or hostility? Anti-Scottishness in a post-Brexit England

The UK's decision to leave the EU was partly influenced by a desire to reduce immigration. This followed a period of increased Euroscepticism, and an ‘othering’ of those of a different background, nationality or religion, and ultimately the EU itself. Post-Brexit, this has been linked to a rise in hate crime in England, and the referendum decision has been characterised as an expression of a strengthened English identity. Hostility towards those perceived as ‘foreigners’ or ‘others’ seems also to have affected people from the other nations within the British Isles, with speculation that Brexit might lead to the break-up of the UK. Here, we focus on Scots living or who have lived in England and, while their experiences are mixed, it appears that some hostility towards Scots (and indifference to Scotland) has grown. We speculate that this and additional political tensions may, eventually, bring about the end of the union.</p

Scottish independence:what does the diaspora think?

Scottish independence is a matter for debate, not only in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, but also in the Scottish diaspora. Their views have rarely been sought, yet they will have a view on the constitutional future of their homeland. This paper draws on research on attitudes to independence within the diaspora, and concludes that individuals in North America generally favour independence more than those in England. But attitudes are changing, partly because of Brexit, and partly related to the UK Conservative government, which is seen as not reflecting Scottish views and values. Independence is now considered more positively

A second Scottish independence referendum:should the diaspora get a vote?

The 2014 Scottish independence referendum settled little in terms of Scotland's constitutional future. The after-effects of what was the largest exercise in democracy in Scottish history certainly increased Scotland's devolved authority but, following withdrawal from the EU and with continuing differences and disagreements between the Westminster and Scottish governments, there have been increasing demands for a second referendum. One aspect of these conversations has been about the voting rights of Scots living outside Scotland, whose relationship with the nation would certainly be impacted by any successful vote for Scottish independence. And yet, they have had no voice in that decision and despite calls for their inclusion in any future vote, such inclusion remains unlikely. This article examines the reasons why such inclusion would be challenging and then considers what the Scottish diaspora think about Scottish independence and voting rights, by considering qualitative responses to a survey of members of the Scottish diaspora.</p

Qualitative Research for the Scottish Government’s Scottish Connections (Diaspora) Work

Reports on findings from qualitative research looking at what a successful diaspora engagement strategy should consider and include. Provides a synthesis of evidence and an analysis of data from interviews and focus groups with key diaspora stakeholders

‘Will ye no’ come back again?’ Population challenge and diaspora policy in Scotland

Like many countries, Scotland has its population challenges, including a low birth rate and an ageing population. Some countries have sought to offset these challenges by the promotion of ‘replacement immigration’ or by economic policies to attract migrants. But, as part of the United Kingdom, Scotland lacks many of the policy levers available to promote wide-ranging socioeconomic development and has no powers over immigration, as this is reserved to the U.K. Government. In this paper, we explore the potential for attracting members of the Scottish diaspora as a means of boosting population growth, using data from a series of surveys we have undertaken during the last decade. Although Scotland's quality of life may be attractive to returners, employment opportunities are crucial. However, the coronavirus pandemic has shown the potential for widening home-based working and this demonstrates additional possibilities for returners to live in Scotland while working elsewhere.</p

The Long-Term Integration of Gateway Protection Programme Refugees in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire

IntroductionIn 2005, North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) decided to participate in the Gateway Protection Programme (GPP), the UK’s official refugee resettlement programme, and the Council remains the only local authority in Scotland to do so. In 2007, a total of 77 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo were resettled in Motherwell. In 2008, the University of the West of Scotland completed an evaluation for NLC of the first year of refugee settlement in the town.The 2008 evaluationThe report (Sim and Gow 2008) acknowledged the success of the multi-agency and inter-departmental approach taken in North Lanarkshire. Refugees had been helped into employment, although at the time many of the jobs being undertaken by refugees were temporary and some relatively poorly paid. Many refugees were working at a level below their qualificationsand abilities.In contrast to local authorities in England participating in the GPP, North Lanarkshire had allocated refugee families secure tenancies in social rented housing. As a result, families were generally satisfied with the houses they had been allocated and there was also a satisfaction with the neighbourhood, despite occasional instances of anti-social behaviour. Many refugees viewed their neighbours as friendly or helpful.Education services were highly valued by the refugees, particularly at school level and families were pleased with – and proud of – their children’s progress. As far as adult education was concerned, ESOL1 classes were valued, and some refugees had chosen to attend college, so that they could receive formal certification which they could show to a future employer. It was recognised that ESOL classes would continue to be necessary for some time.There was a general satisfaction with GP services, and refugees were happy with the treatment they had received. None of the refugees referred explicitly to trauma or to mental health problems in the interviews, although occasionally, they touched on emotional issues. Professionals were, however, becoming increasingly concerned at the emergence of traumaand mental health issues.It appeared that the Congolese refugees were ‘settling’ in Motherwell and beginning to make friends with Scottish people, although the process was taking time. The process was easier for children and younger people who were attending school and perhaps also for those men who were in employment or attending college. Women who remained at home withchildren did not mix as much. It was generally accepted that it was perhaps rather early for refugees to feel comfortable participating in local organisations, although the important exception to this was church attendance, and churches were an important part of life for all refugee families.Many refugees were thinking of applying for British citizenship. In the interim, they were seeking to obtain Refugee Travel Documents and some a driving licence (important in applying for jobs). The process of obtaining documentation was, however, time-consuming and potentially frustrating.The present studyIn 2008, it became clear that there were some issues emerging which had the potential to be problematic on an ongoing basis. One was a concern about finance and there was a degree of confusion about the welfare benefits system, and about household bills (including Council Tax); many families worried as to how they might pay these. Other ongoing information issues related to areas such as employment and education, where refugees were sometimes unsure who to ask or talk to for advice. So, while it was important that the high level of support offered during the first year was reduced, so that refugees could achieve their independence, at the same time this needed to be balanced withsome level of ongoing support.The School of Social Sciences of the University of the West of Scotland, with funding from the UWS-Oxfam Partnership and the support of NLC, decided to undertake a second study of the Congolese refugees in 2013, to talk to them about their experiences during the intervening six years, and to identify ongoing concerns. A total of 18 interviews were carried out, involving 17 households and 30 individual participants; some households declined to be involved.Although most of the men are still in employment, the majority have worked in insecure, part-time jobs with periods of unemployment in between. Many refugees are not using the skills which they possess and so job satisfaction was very variable. The majority of women did not work, although many wanted to and this reflects both a lack of opportunity and a lack of childcare facilities. It may be that Motherwell is too small a town to offer a full range of employment opportunities although these may exist in the wider Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow areas.The insecurity of employment had an important impact on financial security and most families worried about money and paying household bills. This issue surfaced throughout the interviews.Satisfaction with housing remained relatively high, perhaps because refugee households were housed safely and with security of tenure. But some were unhappy at living in flats, and there was significant concern about overcrowding. Since arrival in Motherwell, many families had expanded and almost all families were now living in overcrowded conditions. Thelocal authority, however, has a shortage of larger houses to which they might move.As previously, there was a relatively high level of satisfaction with health services. Some refugees had experienced physical health problems but, as before, we were unable to ascertain the extent of mental health problems as this was possibly too sensitive a subject for most people.As in 2008, education was valued both at school level and in regard to further and higher education, although there were significant concerns at perceived reductions in ESOL provision. One finding from this particular survey was a widespread feeling that the refugees were being insufficiently ‘stretched’ intellectually. Schoolchildren sometimes believed that their teachers underestimated their capabilities, while some adults felt that they were repeatedly being advised to improve their English rather than being given more stimulating educational experiences.In terms of local neighbourhoods, most refugees were content with where they lived, although there was widespread evidence of racism. In many cases, it took the form of verbal abuse – almost on a ‘casual’ basis – but in some instances, physical assaults had occurred. Some refugees felt angry and had expected to be treated with more respect while, for others, they took the view that there were ‘good and bad’ people everywhere. Although many families liked local areas and valued the green spaces accessible from the town, there was a discomfort with levels of drink- and drug-taking in parts of Motherwell.For some families, racist experiences reflected the fact that Motherwell was a relatively small town with limited experience of multiculturalism. Many interviewees were able to draw comparisons with Glasgow, where there were very much larger numbers of black and minority ethnic people (12 per cent at the 2011 Census) and minorities might be thought to be lessobviously visible.Finally, although at the time of our 2008 evaluation, many refugees had anticipated applying for British citizenship, the high costs involved in this had acted as a significant deterrent. Most refugees expressed resentment at this, as they felt they had been led to believe that citizenship would be made easier than it actually was.More detailed conclusions are contained in Chapter 7, where they are discussed in the context of the various headings or ‘domains’ within the Oxfam Humankind Index. We also include a list of recommendations on which we hope that organisations like North Lanarkshire Council and New College Lanarkshire, with whom the report will be shared, will be able to act