From a research study by the University of Birmingham we read evidence that the gut feeling many of us had about the treatment of migrants in Scotland being different from that elsewhere in the UK has some substance:
Summary:
· Despite sharing the uncertainty over the outcome of the Brexit process, EU families in Scotland feel more welcome and safer than south of the border.
· The research points to three main factors that have contributed to this: a) The words of reassurance that came after the referendum from the Scottish government directly addressed to EU nationals; b) The victory of Remain which was taken as evidence of the majority of the population in Scotland being pro-European; and c) The positive messages on migration and the EU coming from the Scottish government.
· Feeling welcome and safe also contributes to some EU nationals’ perception of the Scottish identity as more inclusive and open to others than the English one.
· The 2014 Scottish Independence referendum stimulated a wide conversation around identity and belonging that involved also the EU nationals, who had the right the vote.
· Frustration, anxiety, and disappointment are shared for Brexit by all participants. However, not everyone is being and will be equally affected. Attention to class, ethnicity, age, life stage, and gender are essential for a more nuanced understanding not only of the impact of Brexit, but also of the resources and options available to families for mitigating this impact.
The full report with moving quotes like that above can be found at:
Click to access eurochildren-brief-8-sigona-godin-scotland.pdf
Talking-up Scotland 
That would be a Nicola Sturgeon SNP good report , not allowed on the Tory propaganda machine ! .
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No wonder. The morning after the EU referendum the First Minister of Scotland stands up in Bute House to assure people from the EU are welcome in Scotland and their contribution to Scotland is valued. Thus she sets the tone for all of us.
Meanwhile the Prime Minister of the UK strides out of No 10 and says ‘I resign’ turns and walks back in humming a wee tune.
Compare, contrast, discuss.
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How’s this for a beeb Scotland (GMS) style link? – From EU families and children feeling safer in Scotland to evidence that children in Scotland’s teeth are becoming safer from caries and extractions. (Nifty segue or what?). From news.gov.scot site today – Link and snippets below (including some useful brushing advice):
https://news.gov.scot/news/improvements-in-child-dental-health-1
Improvements in child dental health
There has been a significant long-term decrease in the number of childhood fillings and tooth extractions.
Since 2000-01, the number of fillings given to children has reduced by 62% from 774,762 to 298,192 in 2018-19.
Over the same period, the number of tooth extractions has fallen from 133,000 to 86,000 – a decrease of 35%.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “This reflects the substantial impact the Scottish Government’s Childsmile Programme has made in improving the oral health of children….Our Oral Health Improvement Plan, with its strong focus on prevention and reducing oral health inequalities, will help to ensure further reductions in the need for restorative treatment.”
Background: Childsmile is delivered by a range of health professionals. There are a number of partners in education, voluntary and community sectors who work collaboratively with Childsmile to promote and improve children’s oral health. (Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. ‘Spitting, not rinsing’ after brushing gives the toothpaste time to protect teeth).
Pretty impressive figures in anybody’s book – what odds will anyone offer me that it’ll appear as a news item on the beeb?
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Ludo,
A few months ago ISD Scotland published some dental statistics which showed that 97% of the population were registered with an NHS dentist in Scotland and 95% of people had visited the dentist.
To complete the stats you have given, which are also available today on ISD Scotland, here is the stats fro over 18 and adults and the fees for treatments.
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For adults aged 18 and over
In 2018/19, the number of courses of treatment claimed was just under 4.3 million, an increase of just over 90,000 (2%) from 2017/18 and the highest figure reported. This may be due to increasing numbers of patients participating in the GDS.
Around a third (31.8%) of the treatments claimed for adults were for examinations.
Dental Fees
In 2018/19, £303 million in GDS fees was authorised in Scotland, an increase of £10.3 million (3.5%) from 2017/18.
When adjusted for inflation, GDS fees increase each year from 2004/05 until 2011/12; they then stabilise up until 2017/18; before increasing again in 2018/19.
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