Scottish Communists

Election 2007

Demands for tougher action against asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants have become a common feature in the tabloid papers and in the main political parties. They claim that there is an imminent threat to this country from terrorists and floods of so-called economic migrants and that we cannot afford to support those who are here. Communists say this is nothing less than blatant racism.

As one of the world's wealthiest countries, Britain receives just half a per cent of the world's refugees and asylum seekers - while the US takes six times as many and Iran 34 times. Immigrants contribute more to the economy in production, tax and national insurance contributions than they receive in wages and benefits.

Scotland needs immigrants. The population is falling. The birth rate is 35% below that a generation ago. Without more people our economy will fail.

Its not immigrants who are responsible for our crumbling housing schemes, soaring house prices, low paid jobs, disappearing pensions, hospital closures, and inadequate transport. It's big business which wants low wages, the privatisation of public services and more profit.

And for working people this means a massive assault on living conditions and wages. In 1996 the richest one per cent owned 26 per cent of all wealth (excluding housing). By 2003 it was 34 per cent. The share of the bottom 50 per cent was six per cent. It is now one per cent.