Population Taskforce minutes: May 2022

Attendees and apologies

• Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (chair), (AR)
• Neil Gray, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development (NG)
• Christina McKelvie, Minister for Equalities and Older People (in place of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Social Justice, and Local Government) (CK)
• Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training (JH)
• Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport (MT)
• Tom Arthur, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth (TA)
• Jenny Gilruth, Minister for Transport (JG)
• Scott Wightman, Director for External Affairs (SW)
• Esther Roughsedge, Statistician, National Records of Scotland (ER)
• Philip Raines, Deputy Director, Rural Economy and Communities (PR)
• Claire Wood, Marketing and Insight Lead (CW)
• Sarah Ormerod, Population Strategic Comms Lead (SO)
• Rachel Sunderland, Deputy Director, Migration and Population (RS)
• Mike Andrews, Population Team Leader (secretariat) (MA)
• Ben Jones, Deputy Population Programme Manager (secretariat) (BJ)
• Lauren Smith, Population Policy Officer (secretariat) (LS)
• Maria Crespo, Population Policy Officer (secretariat) (MC)

Apologies

• Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
• Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Social Justice, and Local Government
• Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
• Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy, and Transport
• Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenant’s Rights
• Claire Haughey, Minister for Children and Young People
• Ivan McKee, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise
• Richard Lochhead, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Training

Items and actions

Welcome and introductory remarks

AR thanked everyone for their attendance and noted apologies from some Taskforce members. AR gave a brief overview of work going on across the four pillars of the Population Strategy. NG updated on work to develop a Rural Visa Pilot proposal. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Developing a Depopulation Action Plan

PR presented on the rural and islands component of a paper on the Depopulation Action Plan currently in development, being led at ministerial level by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands. The paper highlighted the need for a strategic policy framing and delivery in relation to responding to rural depopulation. RS drew attention to the distinct urban depopulation dimension, which has been identified as a priority to address in areas such as Inverclyde, and that a lead policy area to take this forward had been identified within Scottish Government. 

Taskforce members identified links between the proposed Action Plan and their respective portfolio areas – such as transport, equalities, housing and community wealth building – and requested that officials ensure they are appropriately joined up in the next stage of developing this work. Some further comments were provided in relation to setting out the scope and definition of some elements of the Plan with greater clarity, as well as greater consideration to be given to embedding equalities.

It was agreed the paper will be cleared via correspondence after the meeting, to allow for the incorporation of aforementioned feedback from Ministers, following further cross-portfolio engagement at official level.

Population Programme: communications and policy engagement approach

CW presented a paper on recent external research commissioned by communications officials regarding attitudes on moving to Scotland, which is being used to inform the development of a population communications framework. The research interviewed pre and post-movers to understand target audiences and what perceptions or barriers exist regarding Scotland as a place to move to, study, and settle in. The research had identified that participants had a positive perception of Scotland as a friendly and welcoming place with high quality of life. However, it had also identified some challenges in promoting Scotland including a perception amongst some respondents about a lack of diversity and ‘isolation’.   

Taskforce members reflected on the desire for a more visible representation of “who Scotland is”, taking into account intersectional issues and ensuring Scotland’s diversity is reflected so that as wide a range of people as possible can identify with communications outputs.

In terms of encouraging people to move to Scotland, the Taskforce also queried how officials engage with health boards as key recruiters in rural areas. It was noted that the Director for Population Health sits on the Director-level Population Programme Board and leads on associated work streams. Relevant health and social care representatives will also be scoped to join an external communications and engagement stakeholder group which is in the process of being established to facilitate delivery of the communications framework for the programme. 

Taskforce indicated it was content to clear the proposed next steps outlined in the paper.

Any other business

No other business was raised.

AR thanked everyone again for their attendance and closed the meeting.