Settler Watch

As Scotland grapples with the problems of an ageing population with a low skills set, help is on hand in the form of English economic migrants:

Television property shows used to be full of English couples moving to the Med for a better life. Now an increasing number are looking north - to Scotland.

No prescription charges, an efficient health service, good schools and no university fees are all being cited by those moving north of the border. Add to that far cheaper property prices than in the South, and the attraction becomes even more potent.

It would be interesting to know whether the views of people like Bruce Ogilvie have changed since the 1990s, are English migrants more welcome now? Personally I think Scotland now has a more mature relationship with England, the Scots are less likely to blame 'the English' for their lot, preferring instead to blame 'Westminster', 'Britain' or 'London-centric politicians'.