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Consultation opens to tackle depopulation on Scotland’s islands

The Scottish government is seeking the views of people from across Scotland on the proposed Islands Bond, which aims to tackle population decline across the Scottish islands.

The proposed Islands Bond will provide £5m of funding to help young people and families stay in or move to islands threatened by depopulation, offering bonds up to the value of £50,000.

Bonds issued will support people to buy, build or renovate homes, start businesses, and otherwise make a long-term home in the island communities.

Depopulation was a top priority issue identified by respondents during the consultation for the National Islands Plan, with population decline threatening the sustainability of many Scottish island communities.

green grass field near body of water under cloudy sky during daytime

Islands secretary, Mairi Gougeon, said: ‘The Islands Bond will help us to deliver on some of the commitments from the National Islands Plan. It’s a way for us to address some of the key financial barriers for people who want to live on our islands.

‘Each of our islands are unique and this consultation will help us understand some of the population challenges across our islands and make sure that we can properly address them. It will also provide information to enable us to set up a relocation support or advisory service and make the move for people as smooth as possible.

‘I’d encourage people across Scotland, especially those on our islands, to provide a response to this consultation and make sure their voices are heard to help shape the Bond. As well as delivering this consultation, we’ll continue to engage with local authorities, island communities and other relevant stakeholders as we develop the bond.’

The consultation started this week and will run for 12 weeks, until 24 October, with the Islands Bond expected to be launched in 2022.

In related news, young people looking to enter the workforce will benefit from £70m of investment from the Scottish government.

Photo by Caroline Hall

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