Poles no longer feeling welcome

How times change. It seems not long ago that the whole of Scotland was singing the praises of the Polish communities which have sprung up in and around the major cities.

The thousands of exiles who flocked to Britain were prepared to do long hours for paltry wages and had a work ethic which put many indigenous Scots to shame. Their homes were spotless, they showed a willingness to integrate, and were helping to address the recruitment problem which was threatening to restrict the growth of the Scottish economy.

Fast forward to the onset of recession, and we learn the Polish community has become the target for increasing physical and verbal attacks from people who blame them for the growing unemployment problem. In the Highlands alone, there have been a number of racist attacks on Poles, which police believe are related to the economic downturn. In Aberdeen, Polish people no longer feel safe. It is ironic that, in a year in which the government is trying to encourage as many people as possible to come to Scotland, certain sections are doing their level best to drive others away.