National Islands Plan: annual report 2023

Sustainable Economic Development

Strategic objective 2 – Improve and promote sustainable economic development

Commitment 2.1 Identify key actions to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth on islands such as community-run businesses, e-commerce and digitally enabled island-based businesses.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• We will consider this as part of work being taken forward under the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) to transform the way in which the public sector in Scotland provides support for workers and businesses. NSET recognises the need to build a model that reaches every community, rural or urban, and connects people and businesses with the support they need. Building on the work of the Business Support Partnership, which is responsible for the Find Business Support website, this will include a review of the products and services available. It will provide businesses with greater clarity on the support they can expect at a local, regional, national and international level through clear and consistent communication.
• We will establish a Digital Productivity Fund focused on supporting business to improve firm-level productivity through the adoption and successful integration of new and advanced technologies.
• We will continue to work with teams and our agencies delivering the priorities of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation in ways that maximise benefits for island communities.
• We will develop joint programmes of action to increase digital understanding and adoption in sectors where business models have been transformed rapidly due to new technology.
• To ensure that the National Islands Plan leads to meaningful, positive and sustainable change, there needs to be ongoing collaboration with our island communities for the duration of the Plan. We will continue to consult and collaborate with our island communities on a regular basis.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been allocated a net budget of just under £62.7 million in 2023-24 to support its work to optimise regional strengths and opportunities whilst addressing barriers to growth, in order to unlock the region’s full economic potential. HIE will continue to flex its delivery for rural communities and businesses through its area team approach, adjusting intervention rates and criteria for programme support to increase entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity. HIE will continue to enable place- based opportunities, recognising and enhancing the role of distinctive natural, built and cultural assets and human resources as they exist in local areas across the Highlands and Islands.
• HIE will also continue to support growth, innovation and productivity in sectors which are fundamental to the rural economy and will drive transformational change, both those which are well-established such as food and drink, tourism and creative industries and those which are developing including renewable energy, the blue economy and space.

In March 2023, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) published a Digital Economy Skills Action Plan (DESAP) involving stakeholders from island communities. DESAP Priority Action 4 recognises the importance of addressing geographical inclusion if we are to have a fair and diverse digital economy. SDS is currently implementing this five-year action plan with representatives from islands and collaborating with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) to create resources that support employers, including video case studies from island-based digital employers.

Over the course of 2023, the Scottish Government continued to offer zero-interest Digital Development Loans of up to £100,000 to businesses to develop their digital capacity and skills. This is in addition to the DigitalBoost Programme offering digital support to SMEs including workshops, 1-2-1 advice and health checks.

Work is also ongoing with Scottish enterprise agencies, including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to identify how the full range of stakeholders delivering services can best work together to offer a single joined-up national service for businesses. Outputs from this collaboration, along with findings from the Digital Productivity Lab pilot, will guide the next steps for the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

Several Gaelic media initiatives contribute to economic growth in island communities, bodies such as Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Ceòlas. Island communities were highlighted in a 2023 Short Life Working Group report on the interaction between Gaelic and the economy. The Scottish Government is considering the recommendations made in the document.

Commitment 2.2 Explore how best to ensure the needs of islands are met within emerging regional economic partnerships including the Convention of the Highlands and Islands (CoHI).

Implementation Route Map 2023

• All island local authorities are active members of, and their needs well represented at CoHI and are represented on the Regional Economic Partnership.
• HIE will continue as a key partner in the Business Support Partnership which has a leading role in the delivery commitments of NSET. It is also a key partner and driving force in the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (REP).
• With regards to Talent Attraction, there will be ongoing work with HIE to develop understanding of the issues faced and how the Talent Attraction and Retention Programme, Skills Recognition Scotland, and Student Retention project can positively impact repopulation efforts.

All island local authorities continue to be active members of both CoHI and the Regional Economic Partnership, creating regular opportunities for engagement and ensuring their needs are well represented. The Convention met on South Uist in March 2023.

Skills Planning and Skills, Talent Attraction and Retention

The Scottish Government has committed to take responsibility for skills planning nationally and regionally by collaborating with stakeholders to address shortages, gaps, and align the education system with economic demands.

Employers, colleges, universities, regional economic partnerships, Health Boards and others in the public sector, local authorities, and our public bodies are key partners in this process.

Through the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, the Scottish Government has committed to implement a Talent Attraction programme to support employers recruit workers with the skills they need.

Graduate retention

Good practice in retaining students post-qualification will be used to provide a platform to build from, working with Higher Education Institutions, Further Education Colleges, and industry to create opportunities for students to stay in Scotland after graduating, including in island areas. We aim to connect students with employers, focusing on sectors with skill shortages.

Commitment 2.3 Tailor business and community support for island communities to ensure products and services are fit for purpose, accessible and effective. This will include exploring new and innovative models and working with national providers to consider how programmes can better address needs of island communities and businesses.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• Scottish Government has committed to growing Community Wealth Building (CWB) as a practical approach to delivering on our Wellbeing Economy aims. We have supported five pilot areas, including the Western Isles, to develop bespoke CWB action plans. Alongside this pilot work, the Scottish Government committed £3 million to advance CWB across the Ayrshire region, through Ayrshire Growth Deal. The 2021 Programme for Government and the National Strategy for Economic Transformation confirmed our plans to introduce legislation on Community Wealth Building during this Parliamentary session. The legislation we plan to introduce will attempt to address blockages identified within the areas leading the implementation of CWB and support further embedding of this approach across Scotland. A Bill Steering Group, chaired by the Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, has been established and contains representation from a range of public, private and third sector stakeholders, including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and North Ayrshire Council. The Scottish Government recently held a consultation on CWB legislation which closed on 9 May 2023 which provided all interested stakeholders with the opportunity to participate in shaping the legislation and the changes required to grow local wealth and give communities a greater stake in the economy. The consultation responses will help inform the development of the legislation going forward.
• Figures from the latest Social Enterprise Census show there is a greater density and a continuing over-representation of social enterprise activity in Scotland’s Island communities. We will continue to provide specific targeted funding and support for rural and island locations through organisations like Inspiralba and Social Enterprise Academy to ensure that these social enterprises, which often form the life blood of island communities, continue to have the opportunities to thrive and grow.
• HIE will continue to flex its delivery for rural communities and businesses through its area team approach, adjusting intervention rates and criteria for programme support to increase entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity. Examples include its Graduate Placement Programme which received higher quotas for recruitment of graduates in more rural and island locations, which were priorities for repopulation interventions.
• HIE will continue to provide business and industrial premises in rural locations where market failure exists and develop innovation assets to support transformational opportunities. HIE will also continue to support community wealth building through building community capacity, capability and developing community assets.

Community Wealth Building

An independent analysis of consultation responses published in October 2023 will inform the development of CWB legislation and policies to support and grow local wealth and give communities a greater stake in the economy.

The Scottish Government continues to provide funding and business support for Scotland’s rural and island based social enterprises through programmes like the Rural Social Enterprise Hub, Accelerate and Just Enterprise. These programs provide growth opportunities for these vital community organisations.

The concept of CWB is central to Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s (HIE) place-based approach. Working with the Regional Economic Partnership (REP), HIE is forming an officers’ sub-group to explore regional CWB approaches. Research commissioned by HIE will guide future community development and their CWB Plan. Findings from this work and the 2024 Social Enterprise Census will shape HIE’s allocation of funds for rural areas.

Building community capacity/capability and developing community assets, HIE has also worked to provide business and industrial premises in rural locations where market failure exists. Examples include units in Broadford, Mull, and Tiree, with ongoing support for the Colonsay Community Development Company to develop two units on the island.

Non-Domestic Rates

Recognising the distinct challenges of hospitality business on Islands, a 100% relief will be available in 2024-25 for hospitality businesses located on islands as defined by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, capped at £110,000 per business. We estimate that 1,200 properties may be eligible for the 100% relief for hospitality businesses on Scottish islands, which is expected to save these businesses £4.3 million in 2024-25.

Commitment 2.4 Work in partnership to support strategic projects which deliver sustainable economic growth in the islands, e.g., Orkney Research and Innovation Campus and Stornoway port developments.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• Through the Islands Growth Deal, in which both the Scottish and UK Governments are each investing up to £50 million, we will be investing in local people, projects and priorities in partnership with the three island authorities, the UK Government and a wide range of public, private and third sector partners. This will spread the benefits of inclusive economic growth across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, increasing opportunities for all.
• The Scottish and UK Governments have each committed £1.5 million funding to complement the work being undertaken to support the development of a local energy plan for Islay and lead to the implementation of a local energy network across the island. We will continue to work with stakeholders to support the development the local energy plan, which is being developed for consideration as part of the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal.

Islands Growth Deal

As set out under commitment 1.1, the Islands Growth Deal Full Deal agreement was signed by the Scottish Government, UK Government, Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in early 2023.

Sixteen projects are included in the Full Deal document, and these include the Islands Centre for Net Zero, Dales Voe Deep Water Port in Shetland, the Outer Hebrides Energy Hub projects and the Outer Hebrides and Shetland Campus Redevelopment projects.

Understanding, quantifying and minimising carbon emissions are objectives built into the design of all Growth Deal projects, which must also consider their long-term sustainability from a community and financial perspective. Specialist advice provides help to partners to achieve these outcomes. In addition, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) provides support through the calculation and quantification of their carbon emissions.

Argyll and Bute Growth Deal

The Scottish and UK Governments committed up to £25 million each for the Argyll and Bute Growth Deal over 10 years, with Heads of Terms signed in February 2021. The Deal, shaped by local input involves collaboration with partners including the Scottish Futures Trust, HIE, Scottish Enterprise and various educational institutions to further develop their proposals. The proposed projects span sustainable tourism development, business innovation, housing, skills, aquaculture, low carbon, and regeneration with a focus on strengthening communities by making Argyll and Bute a more attractive place to live and work.

Stornoway Port Development

The Stornoway Deepwater port project is developing docking facilities to support the island’s ambitions in anchoring renewable energy clusters in the area and increasing tourist flows by enabling cruise ships to stop there. The Scottish Government – along with HIE and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – is a key partner, providing over £33 million in resource funding over 25 years through the Growth Accelerator Model. The first grant payment (subject to achievement of agreed outcomes) is due in March 2024.

Regeneration Capital Grant Fund

The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) has been delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government (SG) and COSLA since 2014. RCGF supports locally developed, place-based capital regeneration projects that involve local communities and help to tackle inequalities, whilst contributing towards Scotland’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. RCGF is primarily aimed at providing new infrastructure or enhancing existing one to improve the economic, social and physical environment of communities.

To date, RCGF has supported over 30 projects in island communities awarding funding totalling over £29 million. This includes over £3 million approved for projects due to commence in 2023-24, such as the extension of the Tobermory Light Industrial Park, the redevelopment of the Loch Carnan area of Uist and Aros waterfront development.

Commitment 2.5 Drive forward the many socio-economic opportunities arising from the 2019 Science and Innovation Audit report ‘Maximising Opportunities for the Marine Economy in the Highlands and Islands’ as well as enhance those arising from growth deals.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• Several projects are being taken forward as part of both the Islands Growth Deal and the Argyll and Bute Growth Deal that have a strong focus on the Marine Economy. Both the Scottish and UK Governments will continue to work closely with partners in both Deals to develop these projects to the benefit of coastal communities.
• Following on from the 2019 Science and Innovation Audit “Maximising Opportunities for the Marine Economy in the Highlands and Islands”, HIE published a report on “The Blue Economy in the Highlands and Islands” in February 2023. The research studied eleven marine sectors and acknowledged the significant socio-economic contribution that the blue economy makes in island communities. The report identified opportunities for growth that have the potential to be transformative, and the role that HIE might play in catalysing and supporting this growth. These strategic priorities have informed HIE’s 2023-2028 Strategy (not yet published), which highlights opportunities for development in marine renewable energy, aquaculture, marine biotechnology and processing.
• HIE are proactively supporting private sector and academic partners to develop the business cases for transformative Region Deal projects in the marine economy – Shell-volution (Shetland), Marine Aquaculture Programme and Machrihanish Innovation Campus (both Argyll). When the final business cases are approved, the delivery of these multifaceted projects will be led by the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scottish Association for Marine Science and University of Stirling, respectively. HIE will seek to embed impacts and outcomes by working strategically and tactically with local enterprises and communities over the next decade.

Inshore Fisheries Management and Coastal Communities

We continue to deliver Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy and have made progress with a range of policies intended to improve the sustainability of fish stocks and the wider marine environment. This protects fishing opportunities, jobs, and food security especially for island communities with a strong history of fishing activity.

We have researched and engaged with stakeholders to understand the impacts fishing can have on climate change and the potential impacts that climate change will have on fish stocks and our seas. This will inform future actions help the fishing industry to adapt to the projected changes in our marine environment.

We place a strong emphasis on co-management, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver fisheries management actions. Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFGs) continue to play a pivotal role in this, along with our Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) Group.

The Shell-volution project

Working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and UHI through the Islands Growth Deal, on the Shetland-led Shell-volution project. The latter aims to increase output and efficiencies in the mussel industry, increasing and sustaining employment in island communities. The project will achieve its aims through significant investment in research and development through both universities and the private sector.

The Shell-volution project has been designed as an innovative technical programme enabling growth in the low-carbon and sustainable mussel farming sector in Shetland, and more widely in Scotland. Productivity and resilience of existing farm sites will increase, while some new locations will be developed. Growth Deal partners anticipate that employment supported by the sector will broadly double as a result of investment. Consumer markets are considered to have capacity to absorb this gradual increase in production and mussel processors in Scotland will also benefit from the sustainable growth in farmed production.

Seafood Trade

Scotland’s marine sector is vital for our economy, particularly for coastal and island communities where employment options can be limited. Supporting our marine sector to reach its full potential is essential to ensuring vibrant communities.

Although some of the more acute pressures from the immediate aftermath of Brexit are now being managed, it is clear that challenges remain. 2022 survey data from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (see also commitment 1.2) has shown that those Brexit impacts have been more marked among food and drink businesses – including the seafood sector – and felt more strongly in the Highlands and Islands than elsewhere in the country.

We continue to call for urgent reforms to the UK Government’s immigration policy which has failed to meet Scotland’s needs, and which is limiting the ability of seafood businesses in our islands to access the labour they require to succeed.

We continue to press the UK Government to honour its commitment to maintain long- term funding for marine and fisheries following Brexit, taking responsibility for the full costs of Brexit for our marine sectors and providing a fair and appropriate share of funding to Scotland above and beyond the £14 million per annum currently provided for the Marine Fund Scotland.

Notwithstanding that, we will continue to use the funding available to deliver vital investment in infrastructure like ports and harbours, important scientific research and monitoring programmes, and support for innovation in the seafood sector to ensure economic growth in island communities.

Commitment 2.6 Display leadership in the public sector by demonstrating that jobs and careers can be successful on islands.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• Workforce Dispersal aims to demonstrate that work can be carried out from most locations. Scottish Government will continue to engage and reflect on this emerging work which has been supported through engagement with the CoHI Population Working Group.
• The Scottish Government has committed through the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) to implement a focused Talent Attraction programme to attract key skills and talent from the rest of the UK (rUK). The Talent Attraction programme includes a number of workstreams with the aim of attracting and retaining working age people with the skills to support Scotland’s economic recovery and help to address the population challenges.

Please see commitments 1.1, 1.2 and 2.2 for more information on CoHI’s Population Working Group, Talent Attraction and Migration Service for Scotland, and graduate retention initiatives.

The Stornoway-based Scottish Government team delivering European Structural Fund payments will be able to continue working from the Isle of Lewis after their current responsibilities come to an end in 2024-25. This means the staff will stay on the Isle of Lewis instead of moving to other parts of Scotland. This approach supports job retention in the islands and provides valuable experience for a more flexible staff location policy, guiding the upcoming review of our hybrid working policy in 2025.

The Scottish Government is committed to flexible hybrid working, supporting staff to work from a range of settings and locations. This means we can maximise opportunities to develop strong relationships with communities across the whole of Scotland. The Scottish Government estate is being reviewed so we can plan for affordable, inclusive, accessible, modern, secure, energy-efficient buildings and provide best value. We also continue to monitor the size, deployment and location of our workforce to best meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Commitment 2.7 Promote a thriving business environment that allows individuals to pursue a wide range of economic opportunities on islands.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• As is the case across Scottish Government, much of our work to support island economy sectors is mainstreamed and lies across many policy areas and as such we will continue to collaborate to ensure that the needs and interests of islands are served.
• We will continue to ensure that new and revised policies, strategies and services are island-proofed by supporting colleagues with their duty to conduct Island Communities Impact Assessments, which play a critical role in supporting and developing sustainable economic development on islands.
• Our Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to support Scotland’s rural economy, to be taken forward this year. These commitments reach across a wide range of sectors from agriculture to tourism, fishing and connectivity.
• In addition to mainstreamed business support, our Islands Programme will continue to support capital investment over the lifetime of the National Islands Plan (NIP), by supporting a range of areas, including tourism, infrastructure, innovation, energy transition and skills. In order to ensure that this investment provides best value for our island communities, whilst supporting them in their economic recovery, the framework for the Islands Programme is underpinned by the principles of place-based community wealth building, whilst also reflecting the four key pillars of the NIP to ensure it promotes a fair, integrated, green and inclusive approach to island policy.

Please see commitments 1.1 and 2.4 for more information on the Islands Growth Deal.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) supports island businesses and social enterprises through island-based area offices, offering advice and access to infrastructure and investment. They collaborate with Business Gateway officers to ensure a streamlined customer journey for clients.

Through its flagship Innovation Programme, HIE offers support ranging from protecting Intellectual Assets, to new product development and R&D advice. Island based enterprises from across sectors – including aquaculture, tourism and textiles – have received support through the programme.

The Scottish Government is investing £4 million in 2023-24 through the Islands Programme to support the improvement, creation or safeguarding of locally developed infrastructure projects that align with the strategic objectives of the National Islands Plan. The Islands Programme is delivered in partnership with local authorities and islands communities, reflecting and addressing local needs.

A total of 13 projects are being supported through the 2023-24 round of the Islands Programme, including the redevelopment of UHI’s Stornoway Campus, the construction of new accommodation for workers in Mull and a contribution towards the Bridge Street Development Project in Kirkwall.

Commitment 2.8 Create and promote apprenticeships and job opportunities for young islanders.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• Education Scotland’s comprehensive review of Foundation Apprenticeships was published in March 2023. We have established a stakeholder group, chaired by Scottish Government, which has developed an Improvement Plan to strengthen the programme and address issues highlighted in the report.
• We are also establishing a Graduate Apprenticeship Enhancement Group to develop longer term policy objectives for Graduate Apprenticeships including how they can support rural and island employers and young people.
• Similarly Modern Apprenticeship policy will also be reviewed to ensure that apprenticeships help to drive economic growth, address skills gaps in the labour market and support the delivery of Scottish Government commitments, including net zero and sustainable rural and island communities.
• SDS provide an all-age career service in every local authority highlighting the options available to people across Scotland, including Modern Apprenticeships. SDS undertakes further activity, together with employers, to highlight the importance of Modern Apprenticeships, particularly through Scottish Apprenticeship Week. We continue to work closely with SDS to support Modern Apprenticeships throughout Scotland.
• Work on the Student Retention project is continuing. Student Retention aims to encourage students to remain in Scotland (and rural locations/move to islands or Highlands) after completing study; this applies to any students from Scotland or the rest of the UK. Working with young islanders will help to develop our understanding of what would make them want to stay or return after study.
• A review of the Agriculture frameworks is currently underway. The most recent meeting of the Technical Expert Group (TEG) took place on June 8th. The TEG is where the Occupation Profiles are agreed, which lead to the Apprenticeship Framework and Standard being developed and approved. The Occupation Profile then forms the basis of what the qualification(s) required to be developed. The TEG will also decide the number of apprenticeships, the pathways and what level is required. The wider Land-use includes Horticulture, Game & Wildlife, Agriculture, Environmental Conservation and Rural Skills.

Please see commitments 1.2 and 2.2 for more information on skills planning, Talent Attraction and Migration Service for Scotland, and graduate retention.

Lifetime Skills and Apprenticeships

In 2022-23 there were 196 New Modern Apprenticeship (MA) starts in Na h-Eileanan Siar, 81 in Orkney and 158 in Shetland. MA starts were highest in sectors such as construction, health and social care, and food and drink.

As a member of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Forum, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has supported the implementation and recent refresh of the UHI Islands Strategy, which sets out how UHI will work with partners to extend and strengthen its activities across Orkney, Shetland, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Bute and Arran.

The strategy aims to support a highly skilled workforce across the islands, nurture entrepreneurial talent, match educational curriculum with sector needs, and attract talent to the islands.

Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs)

SDS and the Scottish Funding Council continue to work with Robert Gordon University, Heriot-Watt, UHI and others to develop GA programmes that meet the needs of learners in the Highlands and Islands region.

Institutions continue to deliver hybrid programmes which support remote learners to undertake a GA without having to travel to a central campus, offering flexibility in learning time and reducing the burden of travel time for the learner and their employer.

UHI have broadened their GA offer with three additions to the Early Years GA. The university gained approval to offer:

• BA GA Business and Management
• BSc (Hons) GA Software Development
• BEng (Hons) GA Construction.

Land-Based Apprenticeships

Following extensive engagement with employers and industry stakeholders, work on the development of the new Land-Based Apprenticeships is approaching a successful conclusion. The New Apprenticeships are expected to include:

• Agriculture (SCQF 5 & 6)
• Trees and Timber (SCQF 5 & 6)
• Land and Nature (SCQF 5 & 6)
• Horticulture (SCQF 5 & 6)
• Greenkeeping and Sports Turf (SCQF 5 & 6)

This is a slight consolidation on the overall number of apprenticeships, supporting a clearer and less cluttered offer to employers whilst ensuring coverage for the existing footprint. All apprenticeships will have meta-skills embedded, supporting individuals to develop, adapt and progress in their careers.

We are working closely with the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) Awarding body and the Apprenticeship Approvals group to confirm a date for the associated qualifications to become available.

Commitment 2.9 Ensure that skills provision is agile and responsive to future demand and enables individuals to take up opportunities.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• The National Strategy for Economic Transformation’s Skilled Workforce Programme aims to ensure that people have the skills they need at every stage of life to have rewarding careers and meet the demands of an everchanging economy and society and that employers invest in the skilled employees they need to grow their businesses. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the education and skills system is agile and responsive to the economic needs of our regions and sectors. As part of this, in June 2023, the Scottish Government published the final report on the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape which was submitted by James Withers, Independent Advisor. The Review highlights challenges within the current system and makes recommendations on how it should change to ensure that it is fit for the future.
• The Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland (2019-21) sets out our strategic, partnership approach to support current and future skills needs of the rural economy. Considerable progress has been made across all five priority areas in the Plan. The Scottish Government and SDS continue to be committed to a strategic, partnership approach to support current and future skills needs of the rural economy and continue to resource oversight of delivery of this work. The are ensuring completion of the few remining actions in the Plan. The broader policy landscape is likely to be changing given the work on the Rural Delivery Plan (and the education and skills component of that), the independent review of the skills delivery landscape and review of the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan and others. To ensure that the co-ordination and delivery of skills in rural Scotland is relevant and takes account of the findings from this work we will continue an interim position whilst we develop our sustainable, long-term approach.
• The Scottish Government independent Commission to review land-based learning submitted their report to Scottish Ministers in January 2023. This has 22 recommendations on how to attract and improve learning pathways to equip more people with the skills and knowledge needed to work in Scotland’s land-based and aquaculture sectors. The Scottish Government has committed to consider the report and to produce a response in 2023. The review considered how to provide opportunities and qualifications through early years, school, college, university and work-based learning for more people, and specifically more women and young people, to work in land-based and aquaculture sectors.
• The Argyll and Bute Deal includes Rural Skills Accelerator programme which will comprise mobile STEM Academy which, will serve island and remote communities in the region.
• The Islands Growth Deal’s Talented Islands programme will improve the education and skills across all sectors in the Islands Deal programme, particularly in the net zero and renewables sectors.

The Island Skills and Repopulation Project was delivered in partnership with the CoHI’s Population Working Group (see commitment 1.1) funded engagement with island communities to address unmet demand, support training and test barriers to skill acquisition affecting community retention and attraction. Learnings from the pilot will evaluated and used to inform future decisions.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is also contributing to the Uist Repopulation Zone Action plan and supports the development of the TalEntEd Islands Programme, a part of the Islands Growth Deal, aiming to enhance education, skills and entrepreneurship, on the islands. Other project partners include UHI, Robert Gordon University and Herriot Watt University.

Through the delivery of the Pathfinder Heat Decarbonisation project, SDS is working with UHI and others in Shetland to implement changes in the education and skills offer that support the decarbonisation of domestic and commercial heating.

Scottish Government officials are collaborating with the UK Government, Argyll and Bute Council, and partners to agree the Full Deal for project delivery. This will involve the development and approval of the necessary full deal documents (implementation, governance, and financial plans) and outline business cases for each of the projects included in the Heads of Terms agreement. Good progress is being made and there is a shared ambition to conclude the Full Deal as soon as possible.

Commitment 2.10 Build on Scotland’s National Marine Plan to ensure that fishing and other economic activities stemming from the sea provide increased opportunities for island communities, but at the same time that they are pursued in a sustainable manner.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• A statutory review of Scotland’s Marine Plan was published in March 2021 which found that whilst the plan remains effective, national and global developments point to a need to update and replace. Scottish Ministers have considered the findings of the Review, and announced the intention to develop new National Marine Plan in September 2022 in the PfG. The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition in the First Minister’s Policy Prospectus April 2023 reaffirmed this intension and committed to publish and begin implementation of a new national marine plan, in line with Blue Economy Vision, by 2026.

Inshore Fisheries Management and Coastal Communities

Our continued approach to securing fishing opportunities through international negotiations seeks to maximise the benefits of fishing to our local communities whilst also ensuring that fishing activity is carried out at sustainable levels. This includes many of our fishing communities based on islands. Quota secured at an international level helps to maintain and grow local businesses, providing employment opportunities both offshore and onshore.

Our Fisheries Management Strategy is focused on improving sustainability of fish stocks. In 2023, we consulted on the rollout of vessel tracking and monitoring systems to the under 12m fishing fleet which predominantly fishes in inshore waters. This technology will help build our evidence base for a range of fish stocks, and enhance our decision making in the marine environment.

The updated National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) is under development and will be designed with stakeholders. It will provide the planning framework for the sustainable management of our shared marine space, supporting our commitments to net zero, protection of the marine environment, energy and food security, and to thriving communities.

The NMP2 will adopt a blue economy approach, considering our marine economy, local communities, and the environment altogether. This will help to get the right planning framework in place to address the increased competition for marine space, whilst safeguarding sustainable marine sectors and recognising the importance of specific sectors, such as fishing, to our coastal and island communities.

Commitment 2.11 Ensure that sustainable land use including agriculture and forestry continues to provide jobs and opportunities to island communities.

Please see commitment 1.8 for more information on crofting and initiatives promoted by the Crofting Commission.

Work continues on the implementation of the forestry sector’s skills action plan and creating a technical training hub, a public-private sector initiative that will lead to the establishment of a not-for-profit company to address market failure in certain areas of technical training with a view to growing forestry businesses across Scotland – including our islands.

We have also funded various community woodland groups that are helping create and maintain jobs for island communities. For example, through Scottish Forestry’s Community Fund, we supported South West Mull and Iona Development (SWMID) with the establishment of a sawmill in Tiroran Community Forest. Not only does the sawmill allow the community to use more of their own timber, it has also led to the employment of a new member of staff.

Scottish Forestry funding has also enabled the Community Woodlands Association to run a mentoring scheme. SWMID/Tiroran Community Forest and North West Mull Community Woodland Company are both members and can access technical forestry support free of charge.

Financial support to the Scottish Woodlot Association has facilitated further advice to SWMID/Tiroran Community Forest on establishing woodlots on the island. If implemented, it would support local households and small businesses, as well as benefitting landowners through active ongoing woodland management and silviculture.

Forestry and Land Scotland provide direct local employment on the islands and support employment opportunities through contracts for activities such as tree felling, planting and maintenance.

Commitment 2.12 Work with relevant partners and stakeholders to make tourism more sustainable and less seasonal, and encourage development of a year-round offer across a wider range of islands that delivers economic, environmental and social benefits.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• To support the long term recovery of Scotland’s tourism and hospitality industry, the Tourism Recovery Programme (10 projects that had a positive impact across Scotland) was completed in March 2022. The ten projects were designed to support the four outcomes (Diverse Businesses, Passionate People, Memorable Experiences and Thriving Places) identified in Scotland Outlook 2030. As we move beyond the immediate short term challenge of the pandemic, the industry and the government must continue to work together to align Scotland Outlook 2030’s priorities with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET). Partners are now working together through the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (ILG) which will provide strategic direction to drive Scotland’s ambition to be the world leader in 21st century tourism. The ILG will provide strategic leadership to help grow the economic value and enhance the benefits of tourism, while delivering the very best for visitors, businesses, and communities across Scotland.

Scotland Outlook 2030, Scotland’s national tourism strategy, sets out the shared ambition for Scotland to be a world leader for responsible tourism and to be one of the most economically, environmentally and socially sustainable destinations in the world.

The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (ILG), co-chaired by the Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade, provides strategic direction to drive this ambition. In 2023, the ILG established five missions to help realise the ambition. These are:

• Proud and valued people working for Scotland
• Embracing rapid technological change
• Community-led tourism
• Net zero acceleration
• Sustainable transport

Each of these missions has significant relevance to island communities and the sustainable growth of tourism to Scotland’s islands. Going forward, the ILG will use the missions to identify and influence the strategic game-changing actions needed to drive investment and ultimately lead to sustainable growth.

The Scottish Government provides core funding to VisitScotland, our national tourism organisation, to help grow the value of tourism across Scotland, including to our islands. In growing the value of the visitor economy, VisitScotland is focused on increasing regional and seasonal spread, increasing satisfaction – among visitors, residents and businesses – and developing responsible tourism.

VisitScotland is engaged in the development of Growth Deal programmes and projects that will support the visitor economy, such as the Outer Hebrides Destination Development programme and the Orkney World Heritage Gateway project. It works closely with Regional Economic Partnerships to develop and deliver ambitious tourism plans and support partners to deliver tourism strategies on our islands. It has dedicated teams on a number of islands, supported by national resource and expertise in order to help deliver its activities. It provides specialist support for tourism businesses and community enterprises on islands to help develop quality experiences, build digital capability, reach new markets and move towards more sustainable practices.

VisitScotland’s marketing approach is year-round promotion of the different experiences available on all of Scotland’s islands, across its consumer and intermediary marketing activities.

In 2023, a key example of its work to promote islands and encourage responsible tourism was the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands campaign, in partnership with High Life Highland. The campaign inspired visitors to explore less visited places and to discover the region at quieter times of the year.

It is recognised that tourism can contribute to preserving and promoting Gaelic language and culture as well as supporting economic growth in island communities. The Gaelic Tourism Strategy for Scotland 2024-2029, was published in February 2024. For more information please see commitment 2.22.

Agritourism

The Scottish Government has committed to providing up to £443,000 of support to Scottish Enterprise to establish a new Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 period. We believe Scottish Agritourism has a long- term sustainable future that delivers a high-quality, authentic visitor experience with agriculture and food and drink at its core. Agritourism can sustain the future of family farms with self-generation of income and contribute to our islands’ economies by keeping multiple generations of farming families in employment.

An Agritourism Implementation Board – co-chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands – brings together economic development agencies, government (local and national) and the private sector to oversee the implementation of the 2021 Scottish Agritourism strategy. The Scottish Government also provided £35,000 in 2022-23 to enable Scottish Agritourism to provide a leadership role in relation to the strategy, with further £35,000 agreed for 2023-24.

Islands Programme – Canna Hub and Hebrides People Visitor Centre

Through the 2023-24 round of the Islands Programme, we offered the Highland Council a grant of up to £298,900 to redevelop a former coal store beside Canna pier to create a reception hub and accessible facilities to support the sustainable growth of the island’s economy. The building will help support the increasing number of visitors that form a major part of the island’s economy.

Separately, up to £55,000 has been awarded to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to complete RIBA Stage 3 and 4 work to enable the refurbishment and extension of the existing facilities at the Seallam! Hebrides People Visitor Centre to be upgraded to provide a much-needed quality attraction in South Harris, which is owned and run by the community.

Cruise Ship Levy Proposal

COSLA asked for the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill to include the power for a council to introduce a local tax relating to cruise ships, if they wished. The Scottish Government therefore convened a working group in summer 2023 with COSLA and local government to scope out the work needed.

We have committed to a public consultation on a cruise ship levy, once proposals have reached a suitable stage of development, to hear the views of all relevant stakeholders, including island communities.

The Scottish Government is aware the cruise industry is of particular importance to some island communities. We will therefore continue to engage with our local authority partners and undertake an Island Communities Impact Assessment to ensure that any proposed levy is developed through close and meaningful engagement with island communities.

Depending on the outcome and timing of that work and consultation, the Scottish Government remains open to putting forward amendments on a cruise ship levy at stage 2 of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, or alternatively considering another appropriate legislative vehicle.

Commitment 2.13 Ensure that crofting continues to provide jobs and opportunities to island communities.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• The Scottish Government will continue to provide support to help sustain croft businesses. Officials continue to consider potential changes to the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme, which include widening the scope of activity which can be grant supported.
• The Crofting Commission received an increase to its budget in 2022/23, enabling it to expand its staff resource, including its Crofting Development Team based in the Western Isles. There are now 6 Commission staff based on our Islands. The Commission will continue to review this in the future consider further positions in other island crofting areas.

Please see commitment 1.8 for more information on crofting and initiatives promoted by the Crofting Commission.

Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill

The Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament in September 2023. It aims to provide Scotland with a future framework that will support farmers and crofters to meet more of our food needs sustainability, while assisting efforts to meet our climate change targets. The powers in the Bill will be used to further the key outcomes of Scotland’s Vision for Agriculture published in August 2022: high-quality food production, climate mitigation and adaptation, nature restoration and wider rural development. Co-design with rural and islands partners will be the foundational approach to the development of support structures and delivery.

Crofting Bill

The Programme for Government 2023-24 commits the Scottish Government to developing and consulting on proposals for reform of crofting law. By the end of December 2023, there had been 14 meetings of the Crofting Bill Group since it was reinstated in May 2022. The Group is composed of stakeholders including the Scottish Crofting Federation, Crofting Commission, Law Society of Scotland and National Farmers’ Union of Scotland. It also includes crofters from island areas.

The Crofting Bill will provide clarity in law to increase crofting activities across the islands and other crofting areas. It will also be a means to simplify existing legislation, enabling the Crofting Commission to regulate and support crofting more efficiently and flexibly, thereby encouraging new entrants to crofting and strengthening crofting communities.

Commitment 2.14 Deliver the Islands Passport initiative, which promotes the opportunity to visit a wider range of Scotland’s inhabited islands, encouraging visitors throughout all seasons and by public transport, thereby delivering economic opportunities for island communities.

Commitment fulfilled – This commitment was fulfilled in 2022. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022 for further details.

Commitment 2.15 Work with the food and drink industry to leverage its economic potential and explore options for sharing some of its benefits with island communities.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• We are providing £5 million support in 2023/34 towards the work of the new Food & Drink Industry Strategy. The strategy was launched in June 2023 and sets out aims and actions for the sector over the coming years to help food and drink businesses throughout Scotland leverage their economic potential.

Scotland Food & Drink has received £5 million of funding to drive actions in year one of the Food & Drink Industry Strategy “Sustaining Scotland Supplying the World”. Work has included a showcase of island produce at Scotland House London with representatives from Orkney, Hebrides and Bute Regional Food Groups attending. In addition, a showcase of Scottish island produce (over 40 Scottish island brands) was organised on the occasion of the St Andrew’s day celebrations co-organised by Scottish Government France Office and SDI at the British Embassy in Paris.

We are working with the Scotland Food & Drink partnership to consider funding options for the strategy in 2024-25.

Commitment 2.16 Seek to expand the range of economic, social and environmental benefits that island communities derive from forestry.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• Scottish Forestry will continue to work with a range of partners to increase the benefits delivered from forests and woodlands on the islands including: carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation; enhancing and protecting Scotland’s rich biodiversity; growing an inclusive and sustainable rural economy; and helping Scotland’s people adapt to the changing climate and improve their health and well-being.

With the help of a £9,500 grant from Scottish Forestry and further financial support from Woodland Trust Scotland, Shetland Amenity Trust continued to expand its production of tree saplings, responding to growing demand, particularly from local crofters. Scottish Forestry also awarded a grant worth over £20,000 for the maintenance of almost 30 kilometres of paths at Lews Castle. The grounds are in community ownership and a popular spot with locals and tourists alike.

The Community Woodlands Association (CWA), with financial support from the Scottish Government and Scottish Forestry, has enabled the Raasay Wood Project to supply locally harvested firewood to the island community at reduced costs. This, in turn, has helped to address fuel poverty, increase sustainable management of woodlands and provide physical and mental benefits to local volunteers.

Funded by Scottish Forestry, the CWA has also supported the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust to explore different ways of generating cash income and plan for the next round of harvesting and restocking for the woodlands they own and manage. The objective is to ensure woodland resource benefits the community and they are focused on securing wood fuel supplies to support increased use of wood-burning heating systems and reduce reliance on coal on the island.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) continue to sustainably manage the Scottish Minister’s National Forest and Lands on the islands. Their work contributes to supporting local economies (through direct forest management activity, outdoor recreation use and related wildlife tourism), increasing biodiversity and providing opportunities for people to access and use local woodlands.

For example, via a commercial lease, FLS has continued to support the operation and growth of the Fishnish Pier Timber Transport Facility, which provides logistical solutions to increase timber marketing opportunities and movements from the Isle of Mull to a number of processing locations across Scotland and the UK. FLS is also facilitating the construction of Shared Rural Networks masts on the land it manages on Mull, which will increase 4G connectivity across the island. It also supports community use of its assets on the island for health and wellbeing enhancing activities. Leasing fishing rights also helps to support fishing tourism on the island.

FLS continues to run the Community Asset Transfer Scheme providing opportunities for communities to buy or lease land in support of local objectives, and is engaging with a number of island communities developing asset transfer requests.

Commitment 2.17 Review Scotland’s National Planning Framework to ensure sufficient flexibility for island interests, including in how best to meet housing need.

Commitment fulfilled – This commitment was fulfilled in 2022. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022 for further details.

Commitment 2.18 Reflect the National Islands Plan and relevant regional perspectives in the review of the National Planning Framework and preparation of National Planning Framework 4.

Commitment fulfilled – This commitment was fulfilled in 2022. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022 for further details.

Commitment 2.19 Consider the implications of the National Islands Plan on future infrastructure requirements during the preparation of the 2020 Infrastructure Investment Plan.

Commitment fulfilled – This commitment was fulfilled in 2021. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2021 for further details.

Commitment 2.20 Recognising the services that island abattoirs provide to their communities, work with relevant partners to deliver sustainable and economical viable operations.

Commitment fulfilled – This commitment was fulfilled in 2021. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2021 for further details.

Commitment 2.21 Ensure that legislation and policy relating to early learning and childcare is appropriately island proofed.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• The Scottish Government will continue to engage with island stakeholders in the development of Early Learning and Childcare policy and legislation, including conducting an Island Communities Impact Assessment where appropriate.

The Scottish Government has continued to work in close partnership with COSLA in the delivery of early learning and childcare (ELC) and especially the programme aiming to deliver and realise the benefits of the 1,140 hours expansion. In working with local government to enable the delivery of high-quality ELC services, we ensure the needs of island communities are reflected and met.

Since 2021, we have been phasing in a funding formula that more closely tracks evidenced local need and considers rurality and measures of deprivation, as well the numbers of eligible children in a particular area. The 2024-25 settlement sees the distribution formula methodology being applied for the final year of its three-year implementation period.

In 2023-24, we invested approximately £1 billion in the delivery of funded ELC and in 2024-25 we will continue to invest the same level of funding in the delivery of the programme.

We have also made an additional commitment for 2024-25 to provide local authorities with an additional £16 million in year to deliver our Programme for Government commitment to increase pay to £12 per hour for staff in the PVI sector who are delivering funded ELC from April 2024.

To support delivery of the 1,140 programme, the Scottish Government provided £476 million of capital funding to local authorities to refurbish, re-purpose and extend existing nursery settings, as well as providing over 120 new facilities across Scotland.

This included approximately £9 million invested across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. Individual local authorities have been responsible for deciding how this funding is used, based on local, evidenced need. The capital programme is now 96% complete with 854 capital projects delivered (as at December 2023).

We recognise how important early learning and school age childcare is for parents, especially those experiencing poverty. Over the next year we will continue to build on work in our early adopter communities, including in Shetland. We will explore the needs of families with children from the age of nine months to the end of primary school to inform local systems of funded childcare for families who need it most.

Since August 2023, all children who defer starting Primary 1 have been able to automatically access an additional year of funded ELC. We will continue to monitor the number of children in ELC settings who have deferred starting Primary 1 to understand any differences between local authority areas. When the new ELC Census commences, there will be an opportunity for more data analysis on the characteristics of children who defer, such as ASN, ethnicity and SIMD.

Commitment 2.22 Ensure that opportunities to develop the wellbeing of the Gaelic language and increase the number of speakers and users are considered as part of sustainable economic development.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• We will continue to explore and develop a broad range of opportunities that promote and support the Gaelic language across Scotland and operating across a number of sectors. These functions all have a significant economic impact, through direct employment and attracting visitors while simultaneously supporting grassroots, community language use and the wellbeing of the Gaelic language.

A number of bodies involved in economic development have published Gaelic language plans and co-operate in gatherings such as the Convention of the Highlands and Islands (CoHI) and the Faster Rate of Progress Gathering.

See commitment 1.6 for more information on the promotion and protection of the Gaelic language.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

SDS is working to develop a second Gaelic webinar, following on from the one that was held in February 2023. Where the previous webinar was aimed at parents and carers, the next one will focus on other influencers, such as pupils, teachers, guidance teachers and employers.

An Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) has been completed and approved on SDS’s Gaelic Language Plan 2022-2025.

SDS is looking to roll out Gaelic training for staff from early 2024.

Gaelic Tourism Strategy

VisitScotland worked with partners including Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Historic Environment Scotland, Creative Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to develop the Gaelic Tourism Strategy for Scotland 2024-2029, which was published in February 2024.

As well as supporting Gaelic, the strategy will contribute to economic, environmental and social benefits in island communities. The increasing interest in the Gaelic language and culture, from both domestic and international visitors, creates new opportunities for tourism and events businesses across Scotland to integrate Gaelic into our tourism proposition, crafting authentic and unique experiences our visitors desire, while in turn supporting jobs for Gaelic speakers and strengthening Gaelic communities.

Priorities include increasing visitor awareness of Gaelic, improving access to Gaelic resources for the tourism industry, and supporting businesses to incorporate Gaelic within their offering.

Commitment 2.23 Support women in agriculture on Scottish islands to succeed, including encouraging their participation in the Women in Agriculture Development Programme.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• We will encourage the delivery of Islands-specific Women in Agriculture Development Programme courses during 2023.
• We will provide targeted support for Practical Training Funding to enable training courses to be hosted on islands.
• We will provide additional travel and subsistence for island women to attend courses on the mainland.
• We will continue to promote online and in-person training provision to women in Scottish islands.
• We will encourage Women in Agriculture groups to increase networking on islands.

The Scottish Government has committed to increase support up to £600,000 per year over the course of this Parliament to deliver practical solutions to improve the lives of women living and working in agriculture, including enabling women to build more resilient businesses. This support is available to all women living and working on Scottish islands.

In 2023, funding was provided for the final Be Your Best Self (BYBS) personal development course. This online course is easily accessible and attracted participants based on Scottish islands. In addition, the Women in Agriculture Development Programme offered further practical training through the Practical Training Fund – administered by Lantra – with support for women from island communities one of the topics covered. We were able to offer support to cover travel and accommodation costs for women who had to travel off the islands to attend.

In 2024, we will launch a new Business Skills programme, comprising two courses: “Knowing your Finances” (an entry level course) and “Knowing your Business”. The programme is designed to equip women involved in agriculture with the skills to increase their knowledge and confidence in relation to business, profitability, effective business planning, climate change, diversification and improving overall business performance. Online delivery will make it accessible to all island-based women.

In 2023, we provided external funding of £8,500 to support the Women in Agricultural Scotland (WiAS) membership group to facilitate networking events and allow women from across Scotland, including the islands, to make new connections. In early 2024, the WiAS group will be holding open networking events on the islands of Arran and Skye, with further events planned for later in the year.

Commitment 2.24 Work with relevant local authorities to develop regional food and drink action plans to support growth of the sector on islands, including a focus on the vital Whisky sector.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• We will continue to engage with sector leads across Scottish Government and their industry stakeholders on the Working with Business Action Plan to identify actions that could be taken to help mitigate the effects of labour market shortages on businesses and to help stimulate economic recovery. We will continue to feed this information into the ongoing development of the Talent Attraction and Retention programme.

Please see commitments 1.2 and 2.2 for more information on skills planning, Talent Attraction and graduate retention.

Regional Food Groups

The Regional Food Groups have delivered numerous initiatives to drive individual growth of businesses on islands which have collectively contributed to growing the value of Scotland’s food and drink sector as a whole.

Some highlights include a showcasing event at Scotland House London with representatives from Orkney, Hebrides and Bute and Arran Regional Food Groups attending. In addition, a showcase of Scottish island produce (over 40 Scottish island brands) was organised on the occasion of the St Andrew’s day celebrations co-organised by Scottish Government France Office and SDI at the British Embassy in Paris. It allowed buyers, importers, distributors, trade press, and chefs to build relationships and introduce new products from across Scotland.

Representatives from Orkney, Arran and Bute Regional Food Groups attended a learning journey in Cornwall which facilitated sharing of knowledge and best practice.

Commitment 2.25 Work with relevant local authorities to encourage take up of Food For Life accreditation to help stimulate local sourcing in public sector settings.

Implementation Route Map 2023

• We continue to support the delivery of the Food for Life Programme with a focus on school meals and the Soil Association are targeting all Scottish local authorities to encourage them to apply for accreditation through the scheme. This is being done through a process of education, and relationship building, and there are currently 17 councils who now hold FFL accreditation, this includes Orkney and Shetland who achieved bronze level accreditation in 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively. Our support this year includes funding for a Public Sector Expansion Pilot in Glasgow to bring fresh, local and sustainable meals to new public sector settings across the city, with the aim of taking learnings from that and scaling up the programme in other areas of Scotland.

We continue to support the delivery of the Food for Life Programme (FFL) which primarily focuses on school meals, with 17 Scottish Councils currently holding accreditation. This includes Orkney and Shetland, who both hold bronze FFL awards.

Against a backdrop of increasingly pressured local authority budgets, the Soil Association continue to work with unaccredited councils to encourage them to apply for FFL accreditation, and with existing award holders to help them to maintain and/or upgrade their accreditation.