Changing the International Territorial Level geography for Scotland: consultation analysis

The second main objective of the proposals is to more closely align regional populations with the ITL specifications so that regions are more comparable. This section considers the main consultation responses in relation to this objective.

Highlands and Islands ITL3 Region

The consultation included proposals to create a new Highlands and Islands ITL3 region by combining six local authorities (Argyll and Bute, Highland, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkney Islands, and Shetland Islands). The purpose of this is to replace the existing ITL3 regions, of which a number are below the recommended population threshold.

The main objections in relation to rebalancing populations related to the loss of ‘sub-regional’ data for the Highlands and Islands region. Partly these related to concerns that data for the island local authorities (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney, and Shetland). Concerns were also raised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership that data related to sub-regions within the Highland and Islands region they cover would no longer be available.

The consultation responses generally acknowledged the benefits of creating regions that were broadly comparable with respect to population and sought reassurance that if the proposals were implemented then sub-regional data would continue to be available using alternative geographies.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of producing sub-regional or local data and statistics. Indeed, the Scottish Government has stated its intention to publish more granular statistics as part of its statistics group strategic priorities. However, ITL geographies are not the most appropriate statistical geography for doing this. The purpose of the ITL geographies is to support regional comparisons, both within Scotland and the UK, and internationally. The existence of ‘sub-regional’ areas at the ITL3 level currently inhibits this objective, as small regions are less comparable, or because the small populations prevent some statistics from being produced entirely.

Instead, under the proposals sub-regional statistics would continue to be produced using alternative geographies. For example, economic statistics for Scotland are already released at a range of sub-national geographies as part of the Sub-Scotland Economic Statistics Database. This includes statistics published for Regional Economic Partnerships, Enterprise Regions, and local authorities.

It is recognised however that statistics currently produced using the existing ITL3 are important to some users, and there is a risk that this data might cease to be available if these proposals are implemented without alternative arrangements being put in place. Support for this aspect of the proposals is therefore conditional on the continued availability of sub-regional data using alternative statistical geographies.

Recommendation: This region should be created, provided that ONS can continue to provide ‘sub-regional’ data that is currently available. In particular, ONS should continue to make data available for the island local authorities and the Highland and Island Enterprise Regional Offices, particularly in relation to economic statistics.

It is also recommended that further engagement takes place between users, the Scottish Government and ONS to identify areas where there is a user requirement for sub-national data.

East Scotland and East Central Scotland

The consultation also considered proposals to create new ‘East Scotland’ and ‘East Central Scotland’ ITL2 regions by dividing the existing ‘East Scotland’ region. The consultation received no objections to this aspect of the proposals.

Recommendation: These regions should be created.