This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Changing shape of Scotland
30/01/2004
The shape of Scotland is changing - and the Executive is taking action to tackle the issues those demographic changes will bring about, Minister for Finance and Public Services Andy Kerr said today.
Mr Kerr was speaking today as the Registrar General released population projections figures for Scottish areas. They show variable local projected change across Scotland.
The Minister said:
"These figures provide useful local detail on what we already knew - our population is declining. They predict the population of Scotland will fall below five million in 2009.
"The Executive is committed building a better Scotland - a Scotland that is a great place to live and work with a high quality of life. We are determined that every single community in Scotland will benefit from Executive action aimed at growing the economy and closing the opportunity gap.
"At a national level, that underlines exactly why we are placing such a high priority on our Fresh Talent initiative, launched by the First Minister last year. The Executive is working hard to attract more people to Scotland and, of course, keep them here - we are not complacent on this important issue.
"The figures, however, reveal quite distinct variations at local level. They also raise important issues for fragile island communities and many of our urban areas.
"The Executive is alive to these challenges. We commissioned a review of our cities and invested £90 million to help them grow and take forward their visions for the future.
"We are also committed to maintaining strong, prosperous and growing communities in rural Scotland. We are doing this in a number of ways, including Initiative at the Edge, promoting rural economic development and tackling barriers to opportunity - all with the aim of increasing the viability of fragile and remote communities in rural areas.
"We have already taken radical steps to make sure that NHS resource allocations reflect local needs, taking into account age and deprivation factors that have a big bearing on healthcare demands. The Executive's support for local government spending too reflects a wide range of factors - need in particular."
Mr Kerr was speaking today following the publication of the 2002-based population projections for Scottish Areas release by the General Register Office for Scotland. It can be found at http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/