COSLA President, Cllr Shona Morrison has released the following statement further to a meeting of Council Leaders today where councillors highlighted escalating concerns around community cohesion.

“While there is an important democratic right to peaceful protest and assembly in this country, councils across Scotland are highlighting growing concern about the rise in protests where false claims and hateful rhetoric are being spread, and where the expression of racist sentiment, violence and intimidation are becoming commonplace. Coupled with an associated increase in misleading and factually incorrect information being circulated online, this is resulting in increasing divisions in our communities that are deeply worrying.

"COSLA therefore reaffirms the commitment of Scottish councils to welcome all people who are seeking safety in this country and to work in partnership across our communities to ensure that all feel safe and included, and are treated with dignity and respect, no matter where they are from.

COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson,  Cllr Maureen Chalmers further commented:

“Scotland has a proud history of welcoming people who are fleeing conflict and oppression, and Scottish councils continue to play a key role in this. In recent years this has included providing support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and for people whose lives were under threat because of their work with the UK Government in Afghanistan. It is right and proper that asylum applicants are also provided with the support that they need while their claims for asylum are being assessed. However, it should be noted that it is the Home Office which provides them with accommodation and financial support during this process.”

29th August 2025