A CONSERVATIVE MSP has expressed his outrage after a Scottish Government survey collected information on whether people identify as “Scottish” or “other British”.
The options have made up part of a number of questionnaires and surveys under the Scottish Government, but most recently they have been included in the 2022 Census.
The Census asks respondents: “What do you feel is your national identity”, before asking people to select all that apply from the following: Scottish, English, Northern Irish, Welsh, British or other.
After this, respondents are asked what their ethnic group is – to which they are asked to tick one box. The options to the “White” section are: Scottish, Other British, Irish, Polish, Gypsy/Traveller, Roma, Showman/Showwoman, or other.
There are then Scottish/British options for a number of other ethnicities, including Pakistani, Indian, Chinese and Caribbean.
Stephen Kerr, the Scottish Tory chief whip and regional MSP for Central Scotland, took to social media on Thursday and questioned the options – and was accused of spreading “classic Tory disinformation” in the process.
“The Scottish Government are collecting data on whether people identify as ‘Scottish’ or ‘Other British’,” he told his followers. “What is this data going to be used for? Will people who identify as ‘Scottish’ receive different communications from the ScotGov?”
His suggestion was rubbished by the National Records of Scotland, which holds the information collected in the Census.
The Scottish Government are collecting data on whether people identify as "Scottish" or "Other British".
— Stephen Kerr MSP (@RealStephenKerr) March 3, 2022
What is this data going to be used for? Will people who identify as "Scottish" receive different communications from the ScotGov?
The MSP’s outrage drew a quick response from SNP figures – with the party’s strategist Ross Colquhoun responding with a gif of Alex Jones wearing a tin-foil hat.
Murray Foote, the party’s media chief at Holyrood, told Kerr he was spreading “classic Tory disinformation”, and shared a similar excerpt from the Census for England and Wales.
Journalist James McEnaney was exasperated by Kerr’s post. “I simply do not believe that an MSP can actually be this stupid, so I am left with no choice to assume that he is (to borrow a phrase from his own party) just trying to stoke false grievance and division,” he wrote. “Pretty concerning that he is also a committee convener.”
And another journalist, David MacDougall, accused Kerr of making “ill-judged” comments.
“Just wait until @RealStephenKerr finds out the census form in England last year asked whether people identify as "English", or "British". He's really going to regret this ill-judged tweet I'm sure,” he responded.
A spokesperson for the National Records of Scotland said: “NRS consulted extensively with groups all over Scotland to develop and test questions to ensure they are acceptable to the public and collect the data required by the data users.
"The questions to be asked in Scotland’s Census 2022 were agreed as appropriate by the Scottish Parliament. The personal information in census returns are kept confidential for 100 years. No-one can use a response as a means to direct communications to you.”
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It comes after Scotland’s Census launched ahead of the count, which will aim to cover every person in the country.
The once-in-a-decade count will be used to plan public services, documenting population density throughout Scotland.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson launched the Census on Monday, stressing the importance of high participation.
Despite Census day not taking place until March 20, households are able to fill in their forms now, with most expected to complete their returns online.
Robertson said: “Scotland’s Census is unique in asking the whole nation important questions that help us to better understand the future needs of our communities.
“The census helps the Scottish Government, local government and other service providers to plan services and make decisions about how public money will be spent on major services in our communities, including schools, roads and hospitals.
“It’s essential we maximise participation and ensure that everyone is heard and their needs captured.”
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