Nearly 600 years after they last tried, the English have vowed not to launch a new invasion of Scotland – despite the promise of a better life north of the Border.

A major study by Brussels bureaucrats reveals that Scotland is the best country in the UK in which to live – and the population’s welcoming attitude has been credited with clinching the accolade.

The findings have been revealed in a quality of life study by the European Commission based on 50 indicators, including murder rates, tolerance attitudes, employment rates, personal rights and health history.

But while England’s weaknesses have been laid bare, Cumbrians say they are still happy to stay put, claiming the quality of life in the county is not much different to that in the Borders region.

“The Cumbrian lifestyle is more aligned to Scotland when it comes to the rural idyll. England is more densely populated than Scotland, but here in Cumbria we are hardly falling over each other,” said Alistair Mackintosh, whose roots lie over the border, although he has lived and farmed in the west Cumbria area for around 40 years.

So what is it about the land of fantastic scenery and fried Mars bars, a Scottish delicacy of sorts, that makes it a better place to live?

The report – dubbed the Social Progress Index – found that Scots are more tolerant and their schools are superior, while people living in England had fewer personal freedoms.

Scotland also gained higher scores for opportunity, access to basic knowledge, and health and wellness.

Environmental quality – including air pollution levels, and the protection of natural habitats – and personal freedom and choice were also rated better over the border.

However, the league table of the social progress of 272 EU regions also revealed it was not all bad news for England in other key areas. It showed that life expectancy in Scotland was much lower than in England, and the Scots had the worst ratings for personal safety of anywhere in the UK, and the lowest score for ‘nutrition and basic medical care’.

However, Paul Brown, who owns the Graham Arms in Longtown, said a report of this nature would only stoke tension between the Scots and the English.

In fact, he said, was the report not just a coincidence coming three months after the controversial Brexit referendum?

Back in June, the Scots overwhelmingly voted to remain in the European Union – in direct contradiction to the majority of English voters, who chose to leave.


Paul Brown “Brussels is not going to say anything nice about England because of Brexit. This report is, to my mind, designed to cause ill feeling between the two countries,” said Paul, who has owned the Graham Arms for over 30 years.

He says although he does have a “drop of Scottish” blood running through his veins, he says the report’s findings won’t have him making his home over the border at any time in the future, although he does admit that Scotland does have distinct financial advantages.

“I don’t think we are going to need a passport anytime soon, but I must say Scotland spends more money per head than England. You do not pay for prescriptions, or eye tests, or water rates,” said Paul.

“However, the report does contradict itself when it comments on good health care, but then says life expectancy is higher in England. And to say Scots are more tolerant. What about when England and Scotland meet on the football pitch?” he added.

The report goes on to claim that the Scots are far ahead on issues like tolerance for minorities and gays, as well as for the disabled.

Women too, are said to be more equal in Scotland than in the rest of the UK. Researchers said that this meant that there is more potential in Scottish society to meet the basic needs of its citizens, with more opportunities to improve their lives and better conditions for their communities.

Scotland and Northern Ireland were also far more progressive when it came to education, with higher attainment of degree-level qualifications, commitment to lifelong learning and school enrollment rates all outclassing England.

The report found that the Scots enjoy more personal freedoms than the English, which they judged by the extent of young people not in education, employment or training and people’s satisfaction with their freedom to make life choices.

Scotland scored well on environmental quality, with better air pollution and protection of natural habitats figures. England meanwhile, scored the lowest out of the four UK nations.

“It should be mentioned that Scotland only has a population of a little over five million, whereas England has more than 53 million people,” said Alistair Mackintosh.

Businessman John Thomson has lived in the county but now resides at Eaglesfield, not far from the Scottish border with Cumbria.

He says the county and the Borders enjoy the same environmental qualities, but says the report sounds like a “load of baloney” as he believes that there is now less freedom in Scotland.

John leads the team at C&D Auction Marts Limited, which owns marts in both Longtown and Dumfries, as well being part of the auctioneering firm, Thomson, Roddick and Laurie.

“We have less freedom under the present Government and it would be better if those that run Scotland stuck to their day job. The business climate and the freedom to operate will get tighter,” said John.

However, Langholm councillor Denis Male says he agrees with the findings of the report, but added that Langholm has the best of both worlds living close to Carlisle.

“There is no better quality of life than here in Langholm. We have excellent systems for looking after the elderly and our schools are good. However, we look on Carlisle as our city, and the quality of life is just the same there as here, and there are tremendous links between both sides of the border,” said Mr Male.

“People are remaining healthier for longer, and the gender pay gap has decreased considerably.

“If we had an independent Scotland, I think you might find that people in Dumfries and Galloway would want to be in the north of England,” he added.

“The only issue I would say we have is we have lost some businesses and we must look at how we can regenerate.”


Ray Bloxham Longtown councillor Ray Bloxham, criticised the timing of the report. “I do get worried about these things that come out on the back of Brexit. I realise there are some benefits to them, but to be honest it all sounds very general to me.

"We here in Cumbria enjoy a similar environment to the Borders, and we can enjoy living here, while holidaying in Scotland.”

Michael Green, Executive Director of the Social Progress Imperative, said: “Perhaps the most surprising finding is that the Brexit narrative of a divided United Kingdom, split between the privileged ‘London Bubble’ and more deprived regions, is not evident in terms of quality of life.”

He added that prime ministers, presidents and members of the public should pay heed to rankings on the chart. “For citizens you can ask ‘are you getting what we want’ and asking politicians ‘are you doing what we want’.