Prejudice put down to 'ignorance'

John Knox
Political reporter, BBC Scotland

Nearly a third of Scots think there is sometimes good reason to be prejudiced against minority groups and, while there's more tolerance for disabled people and gay people, prejudice against Muslims is on the increase.

Mr Maxwell described the trend as worrying

The findings, from the latest Scottish Social Attitudes Survey by the government, were described by Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell as "disappointing and worrying".

The survey asked more than 1,500 people across Scotland whether we should do everything we can to get rid of prejudice.

A total of 65% said yes - but 29% said it was sometimes OK to discriminate.

They were given various scenarios, such as marriage or the appointment of a primary school teacher.

Half said Scotland would lose its identity if more Muslims went to live there, up from 38% in the last survey in 2003.

Scotland needs to feel more at easy with its diversity Stewart Maxwell Communities minister Read Brian Taylor's blog

Professor John Curtice , who led the study, said: "The 9/11 and 7/7 attacks in New York and London have undoubtedly led to an increase in prejudice against Muslims.

"The survey was carried out before the car bomb attack on Glasgow Airport, but there's a general background of increasing tension between the West and the Muslim world."

Elsewhere on the report, 30% of people surveyed thought that ethnic minorities and people from Eastern Europe took jobs away from native Scots.

And 14% said a women's role was to stay at home, while a man's was to earn money.

Just over half said same-sex couples should have the right to marry, but a third felt that same-sex sexual relationships were wrong.

'Sheer ignorance'

Older people, the survey indicated, and those without a university degree were more likely to have a discriminatory attitude.

Mr Maxwell said a lot of prejudice was down to sheer ignorance.

"The more people know about minority groups, the less prejudiced they are against them," he said.

"That's why we've increased funding for equality education projects, like One Scotland, Many Cultures and the See Me campaign on mental health.

"Scotland needs to feel more at easy with its diversity."