Programme for Government 2026-31: Impact Assessments

Programme for Government 2026-31: Island Communities Statement

Consideration of the impacts on island communities is embedded within the Scottish Government’s policy development process. Where a policy, strategy or service is likely to have a significantly different effect on an island community, an Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) must be carried out.

The Programme for Government 2026-31 brings together a broad package of commitments at varying stages of development. Consideration was given to the potential impacts of these commitments on island communities as part of the development of the Programme. No evidence of significantly different impacts requiring an ICIA were identified at the Programme for Government level.

Therefore, an Islands Communities Impact Assessment has not been completed or published for the PfG 2026-31. However, policy areas will continue to consider the impacts on island communities as commitments are developed and implemented, and will undertake ICIAs for individual policies, strategies or services where these are identified as having the potential for a significantly different effect on island communities.

02 October 2026