NEW STUDY: EU CITIZENS FEEL SAFER AND MORE WELCOME IN SCOTLAND

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“EU citizens are valued and make a huge contribution to the economy and cultural diversity of my Argyll & Bute constituency”

The SNP has welcomed a new report that has revealed EU citizens feel safer and more welcome in Scotland than they do in other parts of the UK post-Brexit.

The report – EU families and Eurochildren in Brexiting Britain published by University of Birmingham’s Institute for Research into Superdiversity – found Scotland’s overwhelming decision to remain in the EU, Nicola Sturgeon’s words of reassurance after the EU referendum, and the SNP government’s positive messages on migration and the EU, were the three main factors that have contributed to the more welcoming experience in Scotland for EU citizens.

The study also found that although EU citizens in Scotland are still worried about Brexit and its consequences, they feel valued for their contribution and feel at home in Scotland, more than anywhere else in the UK. Interviewees from 13 different EU states living in Scotland acknowledged that the atmosphere in the run up to the referendum was “not, or less hostile” than their experience of the aftermath in other parts of the UK.

The SNP has renewed its calls for the UK government to stop requiring EU nationals to apply to stay here – and instead automatically guarantee their rights in law.

Commenting, Brendan O’Hara MP said:

“I welcome the fact that EU citizens feel safer and more welcome in Scotland – their contributions are, indeed, valued and we want them to stay. EU citizens are valued and make a huge contribution to the economy and cultural diversity of my Argyll & Bute constituency”

“This report is yet more evidence of the difference the fair and compassionate approach of the SNP Scottish Government is making compared to the hostile and insular approach of the Tories at Westminster.

“The SNP will continue to stand up for and protect the rights of EU citizens – it is time the UK government followed suit by scrapping their hostile environment to ensure that all migrants in the UK feel welcomed and safe.

“And most urgently, the Home Office must stop forcing EU nationals to apply to stay – their rights should be guaranteed automatically in law, without the need for an application.

“If it will not, Scotland must have the full powers of independence so that we can put in place a system that treats our EU citizens with dignity and respect.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

EU citizens feel safer in Scotland than in England –https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/17/eu-citizens-feel-safer-in-scotland-than-in-england-report-says?CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium=&utm_source=Twitter&__twitter_impression=true

The report can be found here – https://eurochildren.info/2019/09/16/coping-with-brexit-in-scotland-new-eurochildren-briefs-out-today/