A wide-ranging plan to strengthen communities facing population decline has been published by the Scottish Government.
Projections show that Scotland’s population is set to fall from 2033, with 14 local authority areas projected to experience population decline over the next decade. The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan will set out the Scottish Government’s strategy to support people to live, work and raise families in the places affected – many of which are rural and island areas.
A £180,000 fund will initially help three acutely affected local authorities trial ways of retaining and attracting people to their communities. The projects to receive funds will be announced later this year.
Part-funding has been provided this financial year by the Scottish Government for Community Settlement Officers in Argyll & Bute, Highland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, enabling them to continue supporting people living in or moving to those areas. Part-funding for these roles has also been put forward for the next financial year.
Launching the plan at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, Migration Minister Emma Roddick said: “The factors that lead to depopulation are complex and interdependent, and every place is affected differently. This plan cuts right across government – in policy areas including housing, healthcare, transport and education – to help deliver solutions that address the needs of individual areas.
“Local leaders, councils and organisations are the people who know their communities best – that’s why this plan commits to channelling community expertise and backing a range of local-led initiatives. This will not only benefit the places leading these projects, but could also generate learnings that can be applied elsewhere.
“Bringing together new actions with a programme of ongoing government work, these steps will underpin our work to ensure every place in Scotland is equipped with the population it needs to thrive into the future.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant, Scottish Labour Rural Affairs, Islands and Land Reform spokesperson, reacted: “More homes, jobs and services in rural communities is central to stemming depopulation. Having modern and fit-for purpose infrastructure is essential to attract families and businesses. This new strategy sets out the importance of this yet fails to make clear commitments on how to improve things beyond previously announced policies.
“This new government strategy contains very little new information. There is a host of old commitments and rehashed ideas, with a promise to further explore and engage with groups to find solutions. This was a missed opportunity to take action rather than further consultations and taskforces.
“For rural communities to have faith in this government, it is important now to turn the words into action; deliver not delay is the message.
“Although very delayed, I welcome this publication. It sets out in black and white why people are leaving rural areas and what factors affect people moving in. The fact that this plan will create a population impact assessment and make available some funding is a signal in the right direction.
“The maxim they have used for this strategy is ’local by default, national by agreement’. Under SNP leadership we have seen consistent centralised decision-making. ‘Agreed by nationalists to the fault of locals’ would be a better motto to reflect the experience of those living in rural and island communities.”
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