Population Taskforce minutes: September 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities (Chair) (KS)
• Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (AR)
• Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment (TA)
• Paul McLennan, Minister for Housing (PM)
• Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (JF)
• Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women's Health (JM)
• Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise (ND)
• 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)
• Hannah Keates, Unit Head, Local Government Policy (HK)
• Erica Clarkson, Islands Lead (EC)
• Ryan Scott, Head of Statistical Engagement and Promotion, National Records of Scotland (RSc)
• Stephen Cragg, Head of Appraisal and Model Development, Transport Scotland (SC)
• Carron Flockhart, Head of International Higher Education (CF)
• Bethany Sharp, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Mobility and Access Committee, Transport Scotland (BS)
• Samantha McCabe, Assistant Private Secretary to the Minister for Equalities (SM)
• Adam Cox, Private Secretary to the Minister for Employment and Investment (AC)
• Emily Hornsey, Assistant Private Secretary to the Minister for Housing (EH)
• Diana Veidere, Assistant Private Secretary to the Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise (DV)
• Kate Gywnn, Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (KG)
• Eleanor Munro, Private Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (EM)
• Mike Andrews (secretariat), Population Policy Team Leader (MA)
• Lauren Smith (secretariat), Population and Migration Senior Policy Officer (LS)
• Kay Brenchley (secretariat), Population Policy Officer (KB)
• Priyanka Pant (secretariat), Population Programme Support Officer (PP)

Apologies

• Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
• Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
• Ivan McKee, Minister for Public Finance
• Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills
• Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport
• Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Gaelic

 

Items and actions

Welcome and introductory remarks

KS welcomed members to the meeting and requested approval of the previous Taskforce meeting minutes. Minutes were agreed and it was noted that they will be published on the Scottish Government website in due course.

Talent Attraction

KS introduced the paper on talent attraction, with input from RS on Scotland’s Migration Service and CF on Skills. KS also noted that the paper has been brought forward following a request from Taskforce members at the previous meeting. 

Members discussed challenges around workforce shortages across a range of sectors, with specific reference to dentistry and the health sector more broadly, which SMS will support. Members also noted that Scotland’s Migration Service should, after launch, deliver for all of Scotland and not just support sectors or communities within the central belt. It was also highlighted that there is work ongoing to better understand the demand and supply of skills across key sectors, working closely with Skills Development Scotland.

Members also discussed Scotland’s declining working age population, in part attributed to the impact of ongoing low birth rates and an ageing population. A paper will be brought forward to the next meeting which will present some initial research findings on the impact of family friendly policies in the Nordics, and their potential transferability to Scotland.

Members noted the paper and agreed next steps, including an evaluation approach for Scotland’s Migration Service.

Action: Officials to share previously published research on Attitudes to Family Formation work with Ministers who have newly joined the Taskforce. 

Addressing Depopulation Action Plan / National Islands Plan – Update

KS introduced the paper and provided an update to members on steps taken to meet commitments contained within the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan (ADAP) since its publication in February 2024, and noted that funding has been allocated to 10 local projects addressing depopulation challenges. 

EC provided an update on the development of a new National Islands Plan, highlighting support among island residents for a new streamlined plan with fewer strategic objectives and ensuring a strategic a focus on population attraction and retention. Housing, economic development and connectivity will feature prominently in the new plan, with ensuring action to address population challenges being a central theme. 

Members also discussed discrete challenges around urban depopulation and the Inverclyde Socio-economic Taskforce’s progress, along with the importance of aligning economic development with housing and the vital role housing plays in supporting local priorities around repopulation, particularly in island communities. 

Members noted the paper and agreed next steps. 

National Records of Scotland Statistics: updates and forthcoming releases

RSc provided an update to the Taskforce on the most recent publication of NRS Census statistics. He also mentioned other forthcoming publications that may be helpful for discussions around migration and the working-age population. 

Members  emphasised the need to consider how to attract people to areas facing population challenges and encouraged further collaboration with NRS and use of census data. 

AOB

No items were raised under AOB. KS thanked members for their attendance and encouraged them to also engage outside of these meeting cycles as required. She closed the meeting and advised that the next meeting will be held on 11 December.