2. economic impact

LEARNING INTENTIONS

• Describe the economic impact that immigration had on Scotland

The economic impact of immigration covers four main issues:

• Employment• Wages

• New businesses• Workplace rights

Employment

One of the main reasons that the Irish immigrants came to Scotland was to

find work.

They did a range of jobs including mining in

Lanarkshire or mill work in Dundee.

Scottish people had mixed views about the Irish.

Many Scots were angry, believing the Irish were taking jobs from them.

However Scottish employers were often

glad of the chance to have a bigger workforce.

Wages

Immigrants were often attracted to Scotland by higher wages (often six

times as high as in Ireland).

However poorer Scots workers believed that

different immigrant groups led to lower wages.

New businesses

Many immigrants set up their own businesses, making money and

eventually creating jobs.

Italian immigrants set up cafes. Irishman

Thomas Lipton became a millionaire through his

grocery shops.

Workplace rights

Many Irish immigrants became involved in

workplace campaigns to get better rights.

Irishmen set up the Glasgow Cotton

Spinners Association, to improve working conditions there.