National Islands Plan: Fairer Scotland Duty

Cross-Cutting Themes That Help Reduce Inequalities

Tailored, Community-Led Solutions

Many commitments emphasise that island communities themselves define priorities and co-design delivery, recognising the diversity of socio-economic conditions rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Better Evidence and Policy Design

The Scottish Government commits to improved analysis on island socio-economic experiences (e.g., social security take-up, poverty research), which helps shape more effective, evidence-based policy responses.

Holistic and Integrated Policy Making

The Plan ties into wider frameworks (e.g., Scotland’s National Performance Framework and Wellbeing Economy aims) to ensure island inequality reduction connects with broader national strategies on fairness, inclusion, and economic wellbeing.

The National Islands Plan underwent a full review in 2023. A public consultation comprising in-person events, virtual workshops, and a dedicated online portal gave everyone with an interest in the Plan the opportunity to comment on its impact and effectiveness. An independent report summarising the main findings was published in April 2024.

This review confirmed that while progress has been made significant challenges remain. This second National Islands Plan addresses feedback received through the consultation and renews our dialogue with communities and local government in support of our islands’ ambitions.

Direct engagement with islanders and their lived experiences has been at the centre of our approach. We held in-person events across all island areas, meeting islanders in village halls and community centres, and hosted online sessions to reach even more people and gather input from a broader range of stakeholders.

The new National Islands Plan includes a clear commitment to meaningful, ongoing engagement with island communities, ensuring that the lived experience of island residents informs policy development and delivery. Engagement activity will be designed to be inclusive and accessible, recognising the geographic, digital and socioeconomic barriers that can disproportionately affect island communities experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.