Polish contribution valued

External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop today welcomed the contribution Polish people make to Scottish life.

During a visit to Aberdeen, Ms Hyslop met members of the city’s Polish Association to discuss links between Scotland and Poland and to hear about their experiences of living and working in Scotland.

Following the meeting she contrasted the Scottish Government’s welcoming attitude with that of the Prime Minister David Cameron – who earlier this year singled out people from Poland when calling for changes to UK welfare rules.

Ms Hyslop said:

“The Scottish Government recognises the enormous contribution Poles make to Scottish life and the positive role that migration has on our society, economy and culture.

“Our countries have been linked for centuries - from Scottish traders moving to Poland in the 16^th century, to Polish servicemen and women in World War Two, and right up to the present day.

“Today’s meeting was an opportunity to celebrate the historic and modern links between our two nations and to learn more about what life is like for those from Poland who have chosen to make new lives in Scotland .

“Figures from the 2011 Census show that Scotland’s Polish community has grown by 52,000 since 2001 and makes up around one per cent of Scotland’s entire population.

“Of course our 61,000 Polish citizens form part of a bigger community of around 160,000 people from across the EU who have chosen to live, work or study in Scotland in line with the principle of freedom of movement that applies to all member states.

“The Poles who have come to live and work in Scotland have brought much more than their professional skills. They have made a huge contribution to our culture and our economy.

“I am proud to say the Scottish Government’s attitude to migration is distinctly different. Migrants who have a legitimate reason to be in Scotland will always be welcomed, included and celebrated.

“With independence, Scotland would have the powers it needs to grow the invaluable contribution migrants can make to our economy and society. And as an independent member of the EU, Scotland and its people would continue to benefit from the principle of free movement – something that could be at risk now that the Prime Minister has made it clear there is a real possibility of Scotland being removed from the EU by a future UK Government.”

Edward Kucharczyk is Secretary of the Polish Association Aberdeen and moved to Scotland with his wife in 2005. He said:

“We moved to Scotland to start a new, better life. We feel more secure here, and have a stronger sense of purpose. We are paid properly for the work that we do, and have opportunities to learn and study.

“We did not come here to live on benefits, we came here to be useful – to work, live and become part of Scotland, our new home.”