Tesfu Gessesse calls for inclusive growth, fairness and solidarity
Scotland has a proud tradition of welcoming those seeking refuge.
However, recent political and social developments across the UK have fostered a climate of rising tension and hostility towards New Scots (asylum seekers, refugees and migrants). If left unaddressed, these tensions could undermine the well-being of individuals and communities, erode trust in public institutions, and weaken the social fabric of society.
As an organisation working directly with New Scots, The Welcoming Association has observed both the challenges and opportunities that New Scots bring to Edinburgh and beyond. We believe that fostering community cohesion requires active investment, collaboration, and strong political leadership.
We call on the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government to take decisive action to transform current tensions into pathways for inclusive growth, fairness, and solidarity.
Context: rising tensions, shared responsibilities
The arrival of New Scots has often been politicised, with negative stories framing them as a “burden” on already stretched public services. Headlines and misinformation have increased fears, portraying New Scots as unfairly competing with residents for housing, jobs, and welfare. These stories foster misunderstanding, resentment, and sometimes open hostility.
In reality, Scotland faces demographic challenges - an ageing population, labour shortages, and the need for renewed energy in local communities. New Scots bring resilience, skills, and diversity that can help address these challenges. When properly supported, they contribute to the economy, volunteer in communities, and enrich Scotland’s cultural life.
But cohesion does not happen automatically. It requires deliberate investment, transparent policies, and collaboration between local authorities, the Scottish Government, and community organisations. Without action, misinformation will thrive, divisions will deepen, and vulnerable groups will be scapegoated.
The Welcoming Association’s perspective
At The Welcoming Association, we work every day with New Scots as they navigate the challenges of integration. New Scots often experience isolation, language barriers, and discrimination. Yet, they also bring determination, skills, and rich experiences that strengthen Edinburgh’s cultural and economic life.
Our programmes and experience demonstrate that cohesion grows when people connect on a human level, sharing meals, participating in cultural exchanges, learning together, and volunteering side by side. New Scots thrive when they are treated not as passive recipients of charity, but as active contributors to their communities.
We call on the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government to build on this foundation, scaling up efforts that foster inclusion, fairness, and trust.
Key challenges
New Scots are often wrongly portrayed as taking priority in housing or welfare, fuelling resentment. Meanwhile, local services face economic strain, creating perceptions of competition between New Scots and residents.
New Scots lack sufficient opportunities to build relationships with local communities and there are barriers to education – including shrinking English language support in schools, training, and employment limit New Scots’ ability to integrate and subsequently contribute.
All the while, inconsistent messaging allows hostile rhetoric to grow unchecked.
Policy recommendations
First of all we must invest in community-building programmes. We must provide sustained funding for befriending initiatives, cultural exchange programmes, and grassroots community events.
Small, neighbourhood-level organisations that bring residents and New Scots together must be supported.
Refugee leadership must be suppprted: establish pathways for New Scots to serve on advisory councils and community boards – including parent associations at school levels.
Leadership training and volunteering opportunities that amplify refugee voices and visibility must be made available.
Refugee services should be embedded into mainstream provision: ensure New Scots can access housing, education, health and employment through existing systems, avoiding parallel structures; adopt transparent criteria for resource allocation to strengthen perceptions of fairness.
Transparent communication should be promoted: deliver accessible public information campaigns explaining how services are delivered and allocated and that refugees are not only ones claiming welfare benefits.
It is also vital to partner with local media, schools and community organisations to counter myths with facts.
There should be a national narrative change campaign. This would see a Scotland-wide strategy highlighting refugee contributions to the economy, culture and civic life. It would showcase positive refugee role models in arts, sports and community leadership.
There must also be early integration investment: increase investment in English language learning and employment support from day one; provide funding to schools to enable them in provision of additional English support to pupils with refugee/settled status and prioritise skills recognition programmes to help New Scots join the labour market quickly.
Implications of inaction
If these steps are not taken, Scotland risks deepening divisions, weakening trust in public institutions and allowing hostility to escalate. Such an environment damages both refugee communities and local residents. Scotland’s reputation as a welcoming nation will also be at risk.
Conversely, investing in cohesion delivers significant long-term benefits. New Scots who integrate successfully contribute to Scotland’s economy, volunteer in communities, work and contribute to public and provide sectors, and enrich cultural life. Stronger communities reduce pressures on public services, build civic pride, and foster resilience.
Conclusion
Scotland stands at a crossroads. We can allow misinformation and hostility to divide us, or we can actively invest in fairness, inclusion and shared humanity.
The Welcoming Association calls on the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government to take urgent, coordinated action. By working together, we can build communities where New Scots are not outsiders but valued members of society who belong and contribute to this country.
A welcoming Scotland is a stronger Scotland.
Tesfu Gessesse is CEO of The Welcoming Association.
