COMMUNITIES ANALYTICAL SERVICES
The Communities Analytical Services Division comprises economists, social researchers and statisticians who work with policy, local government, the voluntary and academic communities and other funders to provide quality evidence in the right place at the right time. The division supports the Scottish Government's Purpose by helping to ensure that policy and delivery are based on sound analysis and evidence and by contributing to accountability. Working with local authorities and the wider research community we aim to develop better evidence and understanding.
The division collects a range of information on areas such as housing and planning through work with local authorities across Scotland and also collects information on the Scottish population and housing stock through the Scottish Household Survey and the Scottish House Condition Survey, two of the large-scale surveys run by the Scottish Government. Information from all of these sources is used to inform Government policy and is also used extensively by external stakeholders and academics.
Recent work in the division includes work to support Firm Foundations and to provide evidence for the Poverty and Inequality Framework. We advised on how tackling poverty and income inequality helps meet the Government's Purpose and what policy approaches were most likely to be effective. The research is being used by the Scottish Centre for Regeneration and the Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum as part of its Poverty and Inequality Learning Network and will be used for work on the National Conversation ( www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/a-national-conversation).
The Centre for Housing Market Analysis ( www.scotland.gov.uk/chma) sits within the division. It provides national support and advice to local authorities and other key stakeholders to aid strategic planning of housing in Scotland. This takes the form of providing ongoing guidance and training to help stakeholders prepare evidence-based housing need and demand assessments and local housing strategies.