INVERCLYDE’S population has increased for the first time in 44 years – and council chiefs say it’s the result of more refugees and people seeking asylum setting up home in the area.
Newly-published figures show Inverclyde has welcomed hundreds of people from all over the world under different resettlement schemes – and that it’s now one of the top three local authorities in Scotland for housing asylum seekers, with 19 residents per 10,000 people now officially classed as seeking asylum in the UK.
The area’s Provost, Drew McKenzie, hailed the move to open up the area to people seeking refuge from Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere – saying that depopulation is the biggest challenge facing Inverclyde.
“I am very proud of our record in Inverclyde,” he said. “The people here, on the whole, have been very welcoming.
“I see first-hand the difference it makes. As Provost I’ve met people who have come here under resettlement schemes.
“They are doctors, business owners and other community-minded people. They can make a difference in Inverclyde.
“They are keen to integrate and be part of our community and are very keen to embrace our culture.”
The recent figures on asylum seekers being housed in Inverclyde comes at the same time as figures show Inverclyde’s population is projected to continue to fall.
Cllr McKenzie added: “Depopulation is by far our biggest challenge. We need people to come and live here and paying their taxes here so we can run our public services.”
The most recent population figures show that most people who are relocating to Inverclyde are coming to the area from overseas.
Provost Drew McKenzie(Image: Inverclyde Council)
A spokesperson for Inverclyde Council said: “We are not responsible for asylum applications or asylum accommodation so cannot comment on matters relating to this.
“However, Inverclyde has a proud reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place and being forward thinking when it comes to resettlement, especially given our own challenges associated with long-term population decline.
“Just last month, the latest data from the National Records for Scotland showed that in each of the last two years there has been a small increase in Inverclyde’s population for the first time in 44 years.
“While there are people relocating to Inverclyde from other parts of Scotland and the UK, most are international arrivals and what we’re seeing that people are not only relocating here but they are staying here and making a positive contribution to the area.”
However, the council also says the recent increases will not be enough to offset the area’s longer-term population decline.
The spokesperson added: “Without intervention longer terms forecasts suggest an additional 13 per cent decline by 2040. This has an impact on the availability of funding and other development opportunities for Inverclyde.
“We will continue to support and welcome resettlement to fulfil our statutory obligations and support our wider repopulation strategy.”