National Islands Plan: equality impact assessment

Title of policy: The National Islands Plan

Summary of aims and desired outcomes of Policy:

The overarching aim of the refreshed National Islands Plan (NIP) is population retention and attraction: to support sustainable, thriving, and resilient island communities by ensuring that people who wish to stay can do so, and that others who wish to return or relocate find islands to be attractive, accessible and viable places to live, work and study. This aim was strongly endorsed through extensive community and stakeholder consultation and reflects the Scottish Government’s commitment to addressing intensifying demographic pressures across island areas.

To deliver this aim, the Plan sets out seven Strategic Objectives and a targeted suite of actions focusing on: improving access to services; supporting economic and community resilience; addressing high living costs; enhancing digital and transport connectivity; enabling local leadership; strengthening environmental sustainability; and supporting cultural and linguistic vitality. These actions are designed to respond to the specific needs and opportunities of individual islands, recognising substantial variation between and within island local authority areas.

The Plan is closely aligned with the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan (ADAP) and builds on its strategic approach, particularly the recognition that island communities require tailored and locally-led responses. The NIP also reflects the Scottish Government’s wider priorities of child poverty, a sustainable economy, climate action, and strengthened public services, ensuring that island considerations are embedded across national policy.

Division: Land Reform, Rural and Islands

Team: Islands Team