Migrants 'put strain on services'

Published on Wednesday 26 November 2008 20:41

HOSPITALS and schools in Scotland are facing "strains" from greater-than-predicted numbers of eastern European migrants, according to a new report.

The British Council-commissioned report, Migrant Cities, states that official predictions about levels of migration were wildly inaccurate, with about three times the estimated 60,000 eastern and central Europeans coming to Scotland.

The report, which focuses on Glasgow, praises the local authority's efforts to integrate migrants.

But it also draws attention to potentially "serious role confusion" and "tensions" over funding arising from the fact that immigration is reserved to Westminster – but the provision of services such as education and health is down to Holyrood.

The report, written by academics at Strathclyde University, quotes John Donaldson, the head of immigration and emergency services at Glasgow City Council, who says: "Central government was wrong in estimating an influx of 60,000 migrants. It was really about 200,000.

"So there are strains for education and health, the politics is difficult, the local government wants more funding, but the central government doesn't want to admit they were wrong."

Glasgow City Council has responded "quickly and positively", recognising that the massive influx of migrants has helped to stem population decline, and boost the city's economic and cultural base.

But the report highlights serious housing problems. It recognises that overcrowding and exploitation of migrant communities has been "rife" in the Govanhill area.

One Slovak Roma, Katarina, 34, told researchers: "We don't even have hot water here. When I want to wash my baby, I have to heat up the water first."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Our policies aim to help integrate migrant workers and their families into life in Scotland and to promote a more diverse labour market."