Ministerial Population Taskforce: October 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities (KS), (Chair)
• Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Gaelic (KF)
• Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (AR)
• Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (NG)
• Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (GM)
• 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)
• Rachel Sunderland, Deputy Director for Population Migration and International Relations (RS)
• Will-Tyler Greig, Deputy Director, More Homes Division (WTG)
• Claire Renton, Deputy Director, Employability Division (CR)
• Darren Dickson, Head of Transport Strategy (DD)
• Carron Flockhart, Head of International Higher Education (CF)
• Andrew White, Statistician, National Records of Scotland (AW)
• Erica Clarkson, Head of Islands Policy (EC)
• Paul Stuart, Senior Islands Policy Adviser (PS)
• Councillor Maureen Chalmers,  Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, COSLA (MC)
• Andrew Morrison, COSLA (AM)
• Lorraine Cook, COSLA (LC)
• Fran Holligan, COSLA (FH)
• Erin Hall, Private Secretary to Minister for Equalities (EH)
• Annarosa Suojanen, Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (AS)
• Nathan Waldie, Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (NW)
• Diana Viedere, Assistant Private Secretary to Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (DV)
• Zara Boyce, Private Secretary to Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (ZB)
• Alexander Wilson, Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (AW)
• Rachael Patterson, Private Secretary to Minister for Public Health and Women's Health (RP)
• Michael Sinclair, Private Secretary to Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (MS)
• Mike Andrews, Population Team Leader (MA), Secretariat
• Lauren Smith, Population & Migration Senior Policy Officer (LS), Secretariat
• Kay Brenchley, Population Policy Officer (KB), Secretariat
• Priyanka Pant, Population Programme Support Office (PP), Secretariat

Apologies

• Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands
• Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills
• Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport
• Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment
• Ivan McKee, Minister for Public Finance
• Kenneth Hogg, Director for External Affairs and Culture

 

Items and actions

Welcome and introductory remarks

KS welcomed attendees and thanked them for their attendance. 

COSLA Population Balance White Paper – High Level Overview

In February, the Community Wellbeing Board reaffirmed that population should remain a key focus going forward. The paper was produced with support from the Improvement Service and in consultation with councils, SLAED, SCOTS, ALACHO, SOLACE and the COSLA/Scottish Government Population Roundtable, outlining the urgent need for a strategic, place-based approach to address Scotland’s population imbalance. 

MC summarised the key recommendations, highlighting the economic impact of demographic change, growing workforce and skills shortages, and the need to align housing and transport policies with population goals to support sustainable development.

KS confirmed alignment with COSLA on a place-based approach to population challenges, and highlighted that evaluation of Addressing Depopulation Action Plan (ADAP) will inform the next phase of activity, with a commitment to scaling successful policy pilots in partnership with COSLA, local authorities, and relevant government portfolios. Members welcomed the national recognition of Scotland’s population challenge and strongly supported the ongoing collaborative work between the Scottish government, COSLA and the local authorities. 

Members highlighted persistent challenges around housing and infrastructure, particularly the urban-rural imbalance, rising construction costs, and the need for small-scale housing solutions to support rural transformation. Concerns were also raised about economic inactivity, especially in areas of population decline and among older cohorts, along with the need to address the impacts of changing immigration policy, particularly on health and care services.

The need for flexible childcare models, place-based planning, and key worker housing were also central to the discussion. Finally, members emphasised the importance of promoting a positive public narrative about living and working in rural and island communities to attract new residents, as well ensuring that place-based policies are underpinned by granular, local-level data.

Members agreed on the need for a consistent national narrative and public messaging alongside local action and the sharing of good practice. Building on the March 2025 meeting of the Taskforce, there was discussion about the opportunities to harness Brand Scotland resources to promote different parts of Scotland. It was also acknowledged that addressing both population growth and decline has added depth and nuance to COSLA’s White Paper strengthening its overall impact. 

KS requested COSLA to share the finalised White Paper once approved by leaders to enable broader dissemination.

Migration Strategy update

KS presented the paper and updated members on recent changes to UK immigration policy. She expressed disappointment that Scotland’s distinct proposals were not reflected in the White Paper. However, she noted that the Scottish Government will continue to press for flexible, Scotland-specific migration solutions within existing powers - focusing on maximising current levers, advocating for change, and mitigating the negative impacts of UK policy decisions.

Members noted the update.

NRS Mid-year Population Estimates and Sub-national Population Projections

AW provided an update on the newly published 2024 mid-year population estimates and sub-national projections released by National Records of Scotland. Members noted the update.

AOB

EC noted that the full draft of the refreshed National Islands Plan has been completed incorporating consultation feedback and strengthened commitments on population, housing, transport, economic opportunities, health and social care while acknowledging remaining gaps such as childcare. The draft plan will be shared with key stakeholders for final input with a ministerial submission expected later in the month. It is anticipated that the plan will be laid in parliament in November and published in February 2026.

No further comments were raised. KS thanked members for their attendance, advised that the next meeting will be held on 10 December, and closed the meeting.