Independent Commission for Land-Based Learning - review and implementation plan: SG response - progress report

Introduction

The independent Commission for the Land-Based Learning Review report was submitted to Ministers in January 2023, and we have accepted or accepted ‘in principle’ all 22 of its recommendations. The Scottish Government published a response in April 2024 and an implementation plan in January 2025.

As stated in the Scottish Government response, the Cabinet Secretaries for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands; and Health and Education are committed to attracting more people into our land-based and aquaculture sectors and equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed, informed by improved evidence gathering and its use. This will be achieved by working together; public bodies, businesses, voluntary organisations and people; to contribute to Scotland becoming a wealthier, fairer, greener and more equal country.

Publishing a progress report was a recommendation accepted by the Scottish Government. This report will detail the progress of the actions in response to all the recommendations from the Review of Land-Based Learning in the 12 months since the Scottish Government response report was published.

As explained in the implementation plan, the recommendations vary in their scope and scale; ranging from specific, practical changes to being part of broader policy and delivery. The implementation plan sets out the outputs, actions and timescales as far as possible. In some cases, further exploratory or other policy development work is required, particularly in a changing policy context. Implementing the plan’s actions will support the delivery of green solutions in the agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and environment sectors. This is important in building prosperous rural areas and a Just Transition to Net Zero, contributing to the First Minister’s priorities on Boosting the Economy and Tackling Climate Change.

Actions relating to implementation for all recommendations have commenced with progress including the development of the Learning for Sustainability action plan, the online portal going live, publication of research into transferable skills and the opening of the outdoor learning hub at Queen Margaret University. At the time of this report five (2, 2.2, 3, 6 and 12) of the twenty two recommendations are now complete.