A NEW report published by St Andrew’s University has shone a light on the experiences of Scotland’s ethnic minorities during the Covid-19 pandemic—and brought to the fore some of the inequalities that they experienced.
The survey, led by EVENS (Everyone for Equality National Survey) gathered detailed responses on the experiences of ethnic minorities in both Scotland and England and Wales, and featured collaborative work by BEMIS and CoDE (Centre of the Dynamics of Ethnicity).
Issues raised
Of particular interest to the Irish in Scotland will be the figures which highlight the lack of trust in Westminster’s handling of the pandemic and the low sense of belonging to British society. The report also outlined the disproportionate rate at which the Irish in Scotland are victims of racist insult (33 per cent) in comparison to the White Irish ethnic group in England and Wales.
The sense of belonging the Irish in Scotland feel towards Scottish society was also detailed through the survey which informed the report, with a far higher proportion feeling an attachment in comparison to British society. There was also a disparity with the numbers of Irish in Scotland who feel religion is a part of their identity (97 per cent) in comparison to the Irish in England and Wales (58 per cent).
“In addition to ethnic and religious identity, the EVENS Survey asked people about their belonging to society in terms of whether they feel part of society. In Scotland, 83 per cent of people feel part of Scottish society and 60 per cent of people feel part of British society,” the report explained.
“This difference in the proportion feeling belonging to Scottish and British society is driven by the White British and White Irish populations in Scotland: of White Irish people living in Scotland, 44 per cent feel they belong to British society while 97 percent feel they belong to Scottish society. Of those in Scotland identifying as White British/ Scottish, 59 per cent feel they belonging to Scottish society and 83 per cent feel they belong to British society.”
The high sense of belonging felt by those of Irish ethnicity in Scotland highlights the level participation in Scottish society and culture by the Irish community, at a time when efforts to encourage engagement from the Scottish Government continue to be met with indifference on the part of both ministers and civil servants—in spite of a call from the UN for the Scottish Government to begin serious efforts at engagement and consultation with the Irish community.
Identity
Also highlighted in the survey was the strong sense of Irish identity in Scotland, with 85 per cent of those surveyed indicating that their ethnic identity was an important part of who they are. White Irish, both north and south of the border, were one of the groups which responded most strongly when asked about what their identity means to them.
“The EVENS Survey clearly demonstrates that ethnic identity matters to people. [It] shows that 60 per cent of people in Britain consider their ethnic background to be important to their sense of who they are,” the report said.
“The proportion is lowest for White British, Eastern European and Other White ethnicities and above 75 per cent for Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, all Black groups, White Irish, Jewish and Any Other ethnic group. Generally, the proportion indicating that ethnic background is important to their identity is similar across Scotland and England and Wales.”
Lack of recognition
Though the survey showed relatively low rates of bereavement of someone close to Irish community responders—both in comparison to other communities in Scotland and to the Irish community in England and Wales—this conflicted with data during the pandemic, which indicated far higher rates of Covid-19 mortality among the Irish community.
The ordeal undertaken by community activists and representatives attempting to bring the issue to greater attention created great frustration amongst the Irish community at the ongoing difficulties in receiving fair recognition and consultation from the Scottish Government.
“The ongoing independent Scottish Covid-19 inquiry should, at the relevant evidence sessions, facilitate specific engagement on ethnic inequalities during the pandemic in order to learn lessons for the future and appropriately archive the experience of all communities including the multi generational Irish,” Danny Boyle of BEMIS explained.
“Irish Covid-19 mortality rates and the reality that data collection was inconsistent and institutionally flawed was a real time concern BEMIS raised consistently during the pandemic via various relevant forums including parliament, government and the ethnic minority national resilience network. In due course, we look forward to proving this evidence to the independent inquiry.”
The report—with more than 14,000 participants, nearly 1200 of which were from Scotland—will serve as a useful record of the Irish community’s position, and help target attention on the important issues which affect us.
PIC: KELLY M LACY
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