Nearly a million mainly English migrants choose Scotland in two decades of SNP government

From Mid-2025 population estimates published 14 July 2026 by the NRS:

Migration was the main driver of population growth over the latest year. Net international migration was +9,300 in the year to mid-2025. Net migration between elsewhere in the UK and Scotland was +8,600. Together, these gave a total net migration of +17,900. This is lower than the recent peak of +83,300 in the year to mid-2023 and the level (+47,000) in the year to mid-2024.

Net migration was positive in 25 of Scotland’s 32 council areas over the latest year.

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/mid-2025-population-estimates/

Nearly 1 million people have moved from the rest of the UK (primarily England) to Scotland from mid-2007 to mid-2025. This is a gross inflow estimate not net migration. Exact cumulative figures aren’t published in one place, but annual data from National Records of Scotland (NRS) and related reports support this figure.

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/migration-flows-to-mid-2025/

Why is this happening?

Quality and affordability of life – https://www.scotland.org/move-to-scotland

The attractions of centre-left government policies are, of course, manifest in the above, though hidden by media.

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8 thoughts on “Nearly a million mainly English migrants choose Scotland in two decades of SNP government”

  1. But will they vote to protect Scotland from the continuing failures of Westminster ?

    Will they support Scottish Independence as the only sure vehicle to keep the lifestyle that attracted them to Scotland in the first place ?

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    1. On the one hand we can state as fact these immigrant settlers are swaying elections now due to the sheer volume of them. Glasgow voted YES in 2014 where 4% of the electorate were English. Edinburgh voted NO where 14% of the electorate were English. Aberdeen went the same way for the same reason.

      On the other hand Scottish independence should never be sought via the British ballot box. It has to be done via recognition at UN level, bypassing the UK electoral system altogether.

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    2. It depends. Many perahps even most will want to stick with the UK/England taht they left for a abetter life in Scotland, ironically. However, perhaps many can see how much Scotland has achieved with devolution and in particular the SNP, and don’t want to lose all of the good things that they enjoy having emigrated to Scotland so…hmm, a bit of a predicament?

      In 2014, most Scottish people I knew were utterly anti Scottish independence, most English people I knew, living in Scotland including myself, were adamantly for independence. Of course it depends where in Scotland people are resident etc.

      I do think that anyone moving into Scotland should really have to live in the country for three years before being allowed to vote…in Scottish elections and any Scottish referendums.

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  3. Hi John, you know me well and you know my political allegiance. For the benefit of others I am Lead Administrator of a pro-SNP/Indy Page on Facebook. One of the oldest and long established.

    Technically I am an “English Immigrant” ( I have Scottish ancestry) of some 20+ years and moved here with my Scottish wife after I sold my business in 2005 down south and my wife’s contract coming to an end at an English University where she was a lecturer.

    Although I never used it directly I have a Degree in Politics & Economics having being “nurtured” by my Uncle William Hardy who was 26 years a Labour Councillor in Coventry. He also did a stint as Lord Mayor. He was head of the Fireman’s Union in Coventry, and Chief Fire Prevention Officer.

    We often had debates on politics and I remember him saying “If you’re not in it you can’t change it”….. Interestingly 12 months into Tony Blair’s tenure in No 10 he quit the Labour Party stating:

    “If I wanted to be a f—ing Tory I’d have joined the Conservative Party!”

    God knows what he’d think of this current lot!!!

    Anyway, back to the point. We moved to East Ayrshire in 2006. Politically I had an open mind but was soon converted to the SNP, not just because they felt they could do a better job running Scotland as an Independent Country (they’re right of course) but because for the first time in my life I found a political Party that actually put the “pocket money” they get back from the UK Treasury to help the poorest in society whilst nurturing Big (& small) Business and foreign affairs. Exactly what a political Party should be doing, not using public money to fill their own coffers as happens in Westminster.

    It’s entirely wrong to assume archetypes … i.e. The English in Scotland vote for the Union.

    I’ve met many more “misguided” Scots who vote for the Union and have never lived anywhere else but Scotland.

    There was a site on Facebook started pre-2014 called “English/Scots for Independence” that has now been mothballed, it was very well supported.

    Cheers,

    Jim

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    1. Indeed.
      Also in 2014, was it not noted that the day after the indy ref, there was a huge number of cars heading down the A1, folks who had second homes(?) or owned holiday lets(?) who had travelled into Scotland to vote ‘no’ to independence…not sure if that was true or not but could quite believe it.

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