Population Taskforce minutes: March 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities (KS), (Chair)
• Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (AR)
• Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (NG)
• Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands (MG)
• Paul MacLennan, Minister for Housing (PM)
• Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women's Health (JM)
• Ivan McKee, Minister for Public Finance (IM)
• Shona Riach, Director for Culture and External Affairs (SRi)
• Rachel Sunderland, Deputy Director for Population and Migration (RS)
• Anna Densham, Deputy Director Land Reform, Rural and Island Policy (AD)
• Eleanor Passmore, Deputy Director Early Learning and Childcare (EP)
• Carron Flockhart, Head of International Higher Education (CF)
• Andrew White, Statistician, National Records of Scotland (AW)
• Erica Clarkson, Head of Islands Policy (EC)
• Francesco Bertoldi, National Islands Plan Team Leader (FB)
• Layla Maguire, International Communications Manager, Brand Scotland (LM)
• Lynsey Cullen-Gibson, Deputy Head of International Communications and Brand Scotland Policy (LG)
• Rachael Patterson, Private Secretary to the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy (RP)
• Megan Taylor-Smith , Assistant Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (MS)
• Matthew Downie, Senior Business Manager, Directors Office (MD)
• Ellie Fairgrieve, Private Secretary to the Minister for Public Finance (EF)
• Nathan Waldie, Private Secretary to the Minister for Equalities (NW)
• Donne Joyce, Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands (DJ)
• 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

• Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Gaelic
• Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport
• Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills
• Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise
• Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
• Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment

Items and actions

Welcome and introductory remarks

KS welcomed attendees and thanked them for their attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved for publication by the Taskforce.

Migration Strategy: overview and update

KS presented the paper and updated the members on UK immigration policy changes, including visa restrictions, the delivery of Scotland’s Migration Service, and the forthcoming publication of a UK Government immigration white paper. AW then provided context on recent National Records of Scotland population projections. 

Members discussed the importance of understanding net inward migration to Scotland by distinguishing between those moving from the rest of the UK, those who originally moved to elsewhere in the UK from abroad before relocating to Scotland, and those arriving directly to Scotland from abroad. They also emphasised the need for more granular data to inform policy decisions, particularly in workforce planning, healthcare and housing.

Members discussed the implications of migration trends on services and economic growth, and highlighted the challenge of aligning migration policy with housing and employment opportunities to maximise Scotland’s economic potential. Members acknowledged ongoing efforts to address depopulation challenges and emphasised the value of long-term projections, and specifically queried the interface between population ambitions and delivering a Just Transition to Net Zero.

It was agreed a paper on migration will be considered for the next meeting, subsequent to the publication of the UK Immigration White Paper, to evaluate its implications. An update on the key points discussed will also be provided.

Members noted the paper and agreed next steps. 

National Islands Plan: update

MG informed the members about the progress of the next National Islands Plan (NIP). Population retention and attraction was emphasised as the overarching theme, aligning with the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan and Population Strategy. Key priority areas identified through consultation and Cabinet discussions include transport connectivity and access to health and social care. Ministers and officials were encouraged to work closely with the Islands Team to ensure the plan delivers tangible benefits for island communities and welcomed further discussion.

Members discussed the key priorities for island communities, with a focus on housing, public health, and social care. They highlighted the need for stronger collaboration with local authorities and development trusts to ensure effective support from island initiatives. The importance of integrated infrastructure, including education and healthcare to attract and retain island populations was also noted. 

Members noted the updates and welcomed continued engagement to refine the NIP.

Brand Scotland: supporting population policy

AR updated members on the work of Brand Scotland partnership in promoting Scotland as a place to live, work and study, and highlighted the need for a more targeted approach for attracting people to the areas facing population decline such as the Western Isles, Highlands, Bute and Inverclyde. Working with local authorities in these regions was suggested to develop localised promotional strategies, ensuring that the approach goes beyond retaining the existing population to actively encourage relocation to these areas.

JM highlighted effective workforce attraction initiatives and suggested considering them to shape the future strategies.

Members agreed to the proposed approach, with officials to assess the feasibility of the proposal ahead of the next meeting, where an update will be provided.

Demographic change: a local government perspective

RS presented the paper, underscoring the importance of population change for local government and that local authorities have raised the challenge of  both depopulation and rapid population growth, depending on their circumstances. It was noted that local authorities, in collaboration with the Improvement Service, have highlighted the need for coherent policy and decision making that considers population impacts. Strong engagement from local authorities and COSLA was noted, alongside highlighting the challenge of the local government sector forming a singular, unified position as a result of local and regional differentiation. Evidence gathered at the local level was highlighted as invaluable to informing the national policy response, alongside the ongoing need for continued collaboration. 

Members agreed to explore options for the Taskforce to engage directly with local authorities and COSLA on these issues.

AOB

No items were raised under AOB. KS thanked members for their attendance, advised that the next meeting will be held on 18 June, and closed the meeting.