When discussing immigration policy, Nicola Sturgeon presents herself and the SNP as a party that welcomes immigration into a diverse and equal Scotland. Moreover, Sturgeon and her Government assert that the racial diversity of Scotland enriches our country both culturally and economically - and of course, we agree. However, what lies behind the Scottish Government’s words is not a lot of substance, because while immigration is welcome in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP have built a Scotland that is not welcoming. Looking further than the Scottish Government’s attitudes, this blog post will outline the problems faced by ethnic minorities in a broadly economic scope.
Scottish Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals still, in 2021, face greater inequalities and discrimination in the labour market, having a much more challenging time achieving access to employment on all levels and paygrades. As it currently stands, the unemployment rate for ethnic minority individuals is double that of the unemployment rate for white individuals. When we break this down and look at the employment rate according to gender and race, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute, only 51% of women from minority ethnic backgrounds are in employment in Scotland. This compares to a 73% employment rate for women from white background in Scotland. In addition, the ONS found that the pay gap between white individuals and BAME individuals in Scotland stands at 10.2%, largely due to the types and sectors of employment that both ethnic groups find themselves in. As a result of this, just under 40% of those who earn below the average income are from minority ethnic groups, which is vastly disproportionate to the fact that ethnic minority groups make up just 4% of the Scottish population.
However, the consequences of these statistics reach far further than racial inequality and monetary difficulties, as the results of long-term poverty can be devastating. The link between poverty and higher mortality rates is well established, especially in Scotland and particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. The Poverty and Inequality Commission stated that men from deprived backgrounds in Scotland live 26 years less than those from the least deprived background. Statistics by National Records of Scotland showed that individuals from South Asian backgrounds were around 2 times more likely to die of Covid-19 than White people. Therefore, on top of the lack of spending freedom and economic exclusion that people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic group’s face as a result of economic inequality, the implications are more fatal.
These figures show that while the people of Scotland welcome individuals from all backgrounds, the employment inequality, wage inequality and disproportionate poverty these individuals face is not welcoming. Therefore, as kind and as well-meaning the First Minister’s statements on immigration and racial equality are, they are simply empty words with no substance behind them. Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP must stop relying on sound bites, platitudes, and words to disguise the fact that Scotland is facing a crisis of racial inequality. Action is now needed.