A new strategic plan to support Scotland's islands will be
published next year.
Scotland's first National Islands Plan was launched in 2019 to
strengthen our islands' resilience and wellbeing
by providing the right support to help them thrive.
The refreshed plan is now being developed following extensive
community engagements. Published in 2025, it will acknowledge
updated priorities for islanders while continuing to focus on
improving outcomes for island communities.
The plan will build on the strong sense of community in the
islands - with 82% of island residents agreeing or strongly
agreeing that they see themselves belonging to their local
community – high employment rates and good access to local
services.
A public consultation on the current National Islands Plan ran
from July-November 2023 and consisted of an online questionnaire
and 16 workshops to evaluate the impact of the initiative.
The Scottish Government has now published an independent analysis
of the consultation results, which will guide work on the new
plan.
Ahead of a visit to the Isle of Lewis tomorrow (Wednesday 24
April), Deputy First Minister Shona Robison welcomed the
publication of the consultation findings.
“The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with
communities to co-develop and co-deliver policies that address
islanders' priorities. While the first National Islands Plan was
found to be comprehensive and ambitious, respondents told us than
more needs to be done.
“We know that island communities face issues such as higher
living costs than those in other areas, and the new plan will
ensure we continue to do our best to support them to address
those challenges whilst drawing on their considerable expertise
and strengths.
“Over the last three years, through the Islands Programme, the
Scottish Government has distributed more than £12 million of
capital investment in critical infrastructure projects,
identified in conjunction with local authorities and communities.
In addition, our £50 million investment in the Islands Growth
Deal over 10 years will drive sustainable and inclusive economic
growth in partnership with local authorities in Orkney, Shetland
and the Western Isles, as well as the UK Government.
“Initiatives such as our Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) project,
which supports six islands to become carbon neutral by 2040 and,
our Islands Programme capital investment fund are vital to
delivering our vision for thriving, sustainable and successful
island communities.”
Background
National Islands Plan Review:
Consultation Analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Lèirmheas air Plana Nàiseanta
nan Eilean: Anailis air a' Cho-chomhairle - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
The new plan is set to be published next year.
The Islands (Scotland) Act was published in 2018 to support and
help meet the unique needs of Scotland's islands.
The consultation received 167 responses submitted by 39
organisations and 128 individuals. In addition, a combined total
of 231 individuals attended the workshops.
The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan - Supporting and enabling
sustainable communities: action plan to address depopulation -
gov.scot (www.gov.scot) - sets 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.
In 2023/24 a total of 13 initiatives have benefited from the £4.1
million Islands Programme. The Islands Programme displays our
commitment to enact our National Islands Plan across all six
island authorities in Scotland in order to tackle island
depopulation, boost local economies and bolster tourism.
In October 2023, we published our Rural and Islands Housing
Action Plan which sets out the things we will do to support
people in rural and island areas to have access to the high
quality affordable and market housing to enable them to live,
work and thrive. It supports our commitment to deliver 110,000
affordable homes by 2032, of which 10% will be in rural and
island areas.
Scottish islands: data overview
2023 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Note to editors:
The Deputy First Minister will be undertaking a series of
engagements in Stornoway, including visiting the new Stornoway
Deep Water Terminal and the UHI Stornoway Campus. For further
information on these events, please contact craig.jackson@gov.scot
