TEACHER Adrian Lonigro, 34, moved from native Australia in January 2013 to London with his Danish wife while she did her Masters degree.
He applied for an EU family member permit, allowing him six months to work in the UK while applying for a residence card, which was granted. From there he planned a “dream” move to Scotland – where his grandmother was born – relocating to Inverkeithing, Fife.
When the Brexit vote came two and a half years later, he was not surprised by the result. “When we were living in London you could sense the dislike for European immigrants,” he says.
“I remember working in one school and being told: “We don’t mind you here – because I’m Australian – but there’s many Eastern Europeans who don’t belong here.”
“We have always felt welcome in Scotland and I feel the Scottish Government has done its best to reassure us of our right to stay here, but they unfortunately don’t have the power to ensure it.
“These last months have been a real low point, with the rhetoric at Westminster being very poor. “It seems like they couldn’t care less about us being here and the contribution we make.
“I love Scotland, however I am scared that this inconsiderate government will take our right to live here away from us.”
He has consequently decided to apply for citizenship as soon he meets the residence requirement, hoping to do so before the UK leaves the EU. But he notes many others in his situation have left due to the uncertainty.
There are also professional, as well as personal frustrations. He is qualified in both modern studies and business education, teaching in Fife where there are teaching shortages – his department is down on staff members and has been unable to recruit, while two others are due to retire next year – and he is shocked by the proposed salary threshold.
“Many skilled workers earn less than £30,000, including teachers in their first three years,” he says. “When I moved to Scotland, I was made to work as a probationary teacher – and on a probationer’s salary – until getting full GTCS registration, despite my experience.
"This [salary level] would have meant that I was not eligible to move to and work in Scotland, which surely would be the same for any prospective teacher considering moving here.”
Disincentives are high enough, he argues. In Australia he would be earning 35% more than in Scotland.
“Then there is the NHS and care sector,” he adds. “A Scottish immigration system could address Scotland’s needs to provide solutions to the challenges Scotland faces. These destructive policies will see Scotland suffer far more than other parts of the UK.”
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