The changing face of Scotland

An increase in low-level crimes, such as driving offences, was also noted as a source of concern by the Scots surveyed.

However, immigrants had complaints of their own, with many north of the border registering concern at the "emerging" problem of homelessness.

Yesterday's report came just 24 hours after a separate study found that immigration had boosted the UK economy by £6bn a year.

The Home Office report claimed immigrants had a better work ethic than their indigenous counterparts and were less likely to take time off sick.

Jack McConnell, the previous first minister, identified the need to attract more people from abroad to live and work in Scotland in 2003.

With Scotland's low birth rate set to cause the population to fall below five million within 20 years, Mr McConnell said that it was essential the country look beyond its borders.

His Fresh Talent initiative offered special visas to foreign students and economic migrants with the aim of boosting Scotland's population by 8000 a year.

Allied to the expansion of the European Union, which has resulted in thousands of workers from countries such as Poland heading to the UK in search of a better standard of living, the project has seen Scotland's population begin to rise for the first time in years.

While yesterday's report suggested that the country's changing demographics have caused some problems, most people believe it has been a good thing, both for Scots and the immigrants themselves.

By contrast, the political debate south of the border is often dominated by whoever claims to be the toughest on immigration.

In Edinburgh, it is estimated that up to 10,000 immigrants have moved into the city in recent years, with the vast majority coming from Poland.

Councillor Tom Buchanan, the council's economic development convener, said the capital's economy and culture had benefited hugely from the new arrivals. "The evidence gathered so far suggests that many are single, young, healthy, well-educated, economically active and rely relatively less on public services than indigenous communities," he said yesterday.

"In economic terms, the net contribution of migrant workers to the city is overwhelmingly positive. As well as contributing to Edinburgh's continuing economic growth through filling key labour and skills shortages, they also pay council tax, National Insurance and income tax.

"Employers and businesses report a strong work ethic and workers who are keen to get on."

Around one-fifth of immigrants are expected to settle in Scotland permanently, with the rest staying for up to two years before returning to their native country.

Glasgow has seen around 7000 people arrive from the EU accession states and a spokesman for the city council admitted it had meant extra work for its health, education and social work services. However, he said that overall the contribution they have made to Scotland's largest city has been a positive one.

"There has been a skills shortage in Glasgow and they have helped to address that gap, which is good for the economy and good for the businesses themselves," he told The Herald.

"There have been problems, perhaps caused by cultural differences. For instance, standing on street corners may be frowned upon here but in their country that can be normal behaviour.

"But I think they are beginning to bed down now and settle into a way of life that suits them and the city as a whole."

Scotland's police forces are often in the front line when community tensions boil over but one senior officer yesterday insisted that rising immigration was not causing any reason for undue alarm.

Fife Chief Constable Peter Wilson, who is also chairman of the Crime Business Area of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said: "The police in Scotland have been active in ensuring that those from elsewhere in Europe or beyond who choose to make Scotland their home are aware of the law.

"Our priorities are to ensure that communities across Scotland are safe and that people can go about their lawful business in peace.

He added: "We will continue to work with our partners to raise awareness and if there are any areas of misunderstanding on the law we will help to overcome these.

"Where community tension arises, the police will play their part in reducing that."

Although the Scottish Government can introduce specific policies, such as the Fresh Talent initiative, to make the country more attractive to those coming from abroad, immigration policy itself has been reserved to Westminster.

Scotland Office minister David Cairns said yesterday that while the UK Government must try to prevent illegal migration, it also had to acknowledge the contribution that immigration had made to Scotland, both historically and in the present day.

"It's clear that a modern and multi-cultural society such as Scotland is readily adapting to a changing demographic and this should be applauded," he said.

"As long as migrants arriving in Scotland have a legitimate right to live and work here, we will continue to welcome their significant contribution to Scottish life in all its guises."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "It is important that we continue with our work to attract and retain fresh talent in Scotland, which will help us to create a wealthier and fairer Scotland."

70% of people here are very nice and the rest try to be nice'
WHEN Andrzef Podworska moved to Scotland from Poland two years ago with his wife Jagienka and son Igor, they were in no doubt that it would lead to a better life.

"In Scotland, salaries are better and everyone in Poland knows that," Andrzef said yesterday.

"There's also the beautiful scenery, the hills and the countryside and that was very appealing as well.

"We also thought Scotland was a cleaner country than England, which is why we chose to come here."

Andrzef opened a Polish delicatessen in Edinburgh, which is proving popular with both indigenous Scots and the large number of Poles who have moved to the capital in the past few years.

Speaking from the couple's home in Edinburgh, Jagienka said: "The Scottish people try to taste the new Polish food and it's mostly Polish customers that we get.

"But the Scottish customers are very friendly."

However, not every Scot the couple met since moving here has left a favourable impression, according to Mrs Podworska.

She said: "About a year ago, we had problems with one man who came into the shop but most people are fine. I'd say that 70% of people are very nice and the rest try to be nice, so that's good."

The birth of the couple's second son, Oscar, a year ago has increased their determination to lay down roots in their adopted country.

Indeed, so successful has their move to Scotland been that the family have no plans to return to their home city of Bydgoszcz any time soon.

"Oscar's first language will be English, and Igor has been here for half of his life, so I think we will stay here for a long time," said Mrs Podworska. "Maybe when Andrzef and I are old we will go back, but not now."