Cash-First: Towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland Islands Communities Impact Assessment

Part 3 - Consultation and engagement

A draft Plan was published for consultation between 20 October 2021 and 25 January 2022^[18] There were over 400 responses,^[19] and an independent analysis of views has been published.^[20] Officials have also engaged directly with local authority leads, and organisations involved in responding to financial hardship across Scotland, including in island communities. The Steering Group on Ending the Need for Food Banks also includes representation from a local authority with island communities.

While the consultation did not contain specific questions on how island communities experience food insecurity, a number of respondents provided views from an island perspective. Additional supplementary evidence has been sought, including specific questions on risks, barriers and opportunities in island communities which have been raised through engagement with island local authority areas, the Islands Strategic Group and organisations responding to food insecurity that deliver services in island communities.

A number of local authorities representing island communities responded to the consultation^[21], and reflected on the specific existing issues that can exacerbate the experience of food insecurity in island communities. In addition to a higher cost of living in island communities, respondents often highlighted challenges linked to non-financial barriers to accessing food e.g. transport links and weather related disruption.

“As an authority with two inhabited islands, the vagaries of weather, tide and ferries often disrupt supply or cause panic-buying and food availability for the most vulnerable results in a need for emergency food provision."^[22] – North Ayrshire Council.

“It is important that local circumstances and context are taken into account, for example a limited presence of national charities in this area, geographic dispersal, access to shops for any voucher scheme, and the higher cost of living in remote rural areas.”^[23] – Shetland Island Council.

The Orkney Food Dignity Partnership which brings together statutory and third sector partners to tackle food insecurity across Orkney shared similar reflections, noting:

“A higher cost of living than on mainland Scotland, with, among other factors, higher energy, freight, and travel costs. These costs are even higher for our ferry-linked isle residents, particularly for residents who rely on island shops where the cost of food is often significantly higher.”^[24]

Reflecting on solutions, Bute Advice Centre identified that cash-first and other opportunities that maintain dignity are important but should be adapted to meet local circumstances.

“Recognition of the access and cost of food challenges faced by individuals in more rural locations should also be a factor in looking at solutions. The promotion of a cash first approach is usually a more dignified approach. The financial challenges faced by families who rely on seasonal work in rural/island locations, with fluctuating incomes whilst living in local communities who don't recognise that poverty exists can be problematic. Finding ways to support households that retain the individual’s dignity is critical.”^[25]

The Orkney Food Dignity Partnership also highlighted the importance of whole system solutions – particularly in ferry-linked isles where longer food supply chains can inhibit access to nutritional fresh food at an affordable price.

FareShare is a charitable organisation that redistributes surplus food to community organisations in all local authority areas in Scotland. They note the additional cost and time pressure in supplying food to organisations in island communities, and the importance of being sensitive to not displacing or undermining local food economies which support local jobs.

3.1 Is your consultation robust and meaningful and sufficient to comply with the Section 7 duty?

Yes. While the consultation did not ask specific questions on issues faced in island communities, supplementary direct engagement with island local authority leads and organisations responding to food insecurity have helped to identify risks, barriers and opportunities to be considered in the development and delivery of the Plan and associated actions.