Population Taskforce minutes: June 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities (Chair) (KS)
• Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (KF)
• Paul McLennan, Minister for Housing (PM)
• Ivan McKee, Minister for Public Finance (IM)
• Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (JF)
• Natalie Don, Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise
• Shona Riach, Director of External Affairs and Culture (SR)
• Rachel Sunderland, Deputy Director Population and Migration Division (RS)
• Anna Densham, Deputy Director Land Reform, Rural and Island Policy (AD)
• Ryan Scott, Head of Statistical Engagement and Promotion, National Records of Scotland (RS)
• Donald Inch, Policy Manager, Rural Economy (DI)
• Kate Anderson, Team Leader, Rural Economy (KA)
• Pippa Gardner, Head of Digital Connectivity Policy (PG)
• Robert McGhee, Head of Digital Connectivity Division (RM)
• Sean Murchie, Economic Adviser, OCEA (SM)
• Francesco Bertoldi, National Islands Plan Team Leader (FB)
• Stephen Cragg, Head of Appraisal and Model Development (SC)
• Mike Andrews, Population Policy Team Leader (secretariat) (MA)
• Lauren Smith (secretariat), Population and Migration Senior Policy Officer (LS)
• Kay Brenchley (secretariat), Population Policy Officer (KB)

Apologies

• Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
• Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
• Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment
• Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health
• Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
• Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport
• Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

Items and actions

Welcome and introductory remarks

KS welcomed returning and new members to the Taskforce following recent ministerial appointments. SR was introduced to the Taskforce as the new Director for Culture and External Affairs and Chair of the Population Programme Board.

Rural & Island: Communications and Engagement

KS introduced the paper and noted that this had been brought forward following a discussion at the last Taskforce meeting with regards to how Scottish Government communicates its policies to rural and island areas.

Members discussed the importance of a cross-governmental approach to policies, such as infrastructure, housing, jobs and public services and the interplay between these areas. The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan’s focus on existing government delivery was highlighted, as well as the ask for further action from rural and island communities.

The role of Scotland’s Migration Service (SMS), which is due for a full launch in Autumn 2024, was discussed in the context of drawing new talent to Scotland’s rural areas. It was proposed that a paper focused on talent attraction be presented at the next meeting of the Taskforce.

Members noted the paper and agreed next steps.

Action: A paper on talent attraction will be brought to the next meeting of the Taskforce.

Transport and Digital Connectivity

JF introduced the paper which set out ongoing and future work with regards to transport and digital connectivity, in support of population outcomes. Members discussed a proposal to implement a triple access planning approach to this area.

Members noted the paper and agreed next steps.

NRS

RS provided an update to the Taskforce on the most recent publication of NRS Census statistics. MA highlighted the importance of NRS statistics in underpinning the Scottish Government’s approach to population and demographic policy, including the commitment in the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan to use new small-area Census data to inform the monitoring and evaluation of place-based population interventions.

AOB

No items were raised under AOB. KS thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting, advising that the next meeting will be held on 25 September.