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Scots living in England are one of the largest non-English born immigrant groups in the UK. While the growing attraction of Scotland to the English-born population is well documented, much less attention has been given to why Scots continue to migrate to England and how their occupational mobility, especially in the SE labour market compares with opportunities in Scotland. These issues have become of even greater importance in the context of recent concern about Scotland’s demographic regime and the significant reduction in numbers projected over the next three decades. The research literature points to the need to reassess the role of the Scots living in SE England (especially those in cities/large towns) in terms of the functions they perform. Why have their numbers declined? How has the scale of Scottish return migration from the SE varied over time relative to the changing role of Scotland in national/international economic and political processes and in relation to demographic change in Scotland?

The research project will examine both the evidence of recent census data sets and a questionnaire survey undertaken by the researchers amongst a sample of Scots migrants living in the South east in 2005. An integrative analysis of these two sources should help us:

1. To understand contemporary processes favouring initial migration from Scotland to South East England

2. To examine the changing position of the South East as an 'escalator region' for Scottish migrant talent and to establish whether Scotland enjoys the same level of return migration as other parts of England 

3. To research the labour market processes that have been dominant in shaping the pattern of Scottish residence in the South East in the last inter-censal period

4. To understand the processes favouring Scots' return migration from the South East

5. To assess policies that the Scottish Executive could pursue to influence the flow of Scottish talent into and out of Scotland

Award/Grant Outputs and Documents
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