Warning of a 'demographic time bomb' as a survey reveals almost half the young people in the Highlands plan to move away from region in the next five years as Liberal Democrat Councillor Molly Nolan slams SNP and Greens over 'unforgivable inaction
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Scottish Liberal Democrats have today warned of a “demographic time bomb” after a survey revealed that almost half the young people in the Highlands plan to move away from region in the next five years.
The IPSOS survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise found that 47 per cent of respondents aged between 16 and 29 said that they planned to leave the Highlands and Islands in the next half decade.
The findings led Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for remote and rural communities and Highland councillor, Molly Nolan, to slam the SNP and Greens for “unforgivable” inaction.
Cllr Nolan argued that the Highlands continues to be touted as a tourist destination but when it comes to infrastructure for the region and its people she says the Scottish Government “just doesn’t want to know.”
Lack of infrastructure and homes
The SNP’s reputation on infrastructure investment and delivery in the north has taken a severe hammering in recent years amid major delays to the A9 and broadband programmes as well as replacement ferries.
All three issues are considered essential for the economic development of the Highlands, two – the ferries and R100 superfast broadband programme – are years behind schedule while many say dualling the A9 by 2025 is now “impossible.”
On top of that a number of other problems were highlighted in the survey, including housing, access to healthcare and connectivity.
In all 76 per cent of respondents believed there are not enough houses to rent at a reasonable price and just 66 per cent of households were within a twenty-minute drive to mental health services and 37 per cent of people said they had to drive at least 20 minutes to the nearest supermarket.
Action needed 'before the damage becomes irreparable'
Cllr Nolan said: “The Highlands and Islands are facing a demographic time bomb, with almost half of young people planning to move away within the next five years.
“The Scottish Government has been consistently warned about this, but SNP and Green ministers have failed to act with the urgency required to support rural and remote communities.
“Now we are seeing the consequences of their inaction. It is unforgivable.
“Our Central Belt government is more than happy to point to our region as a tourist attraction, but when it comes to building basic infrastructure for the people who live here, ministers simply don’t want to know.
“They need to get serious about housing, healthcare and connectivity before the damage becomes irreparable.”
Strengths and vulnerabilities
Stuart Black, HIE’s chief executive, believes that if the region can tap into renewable energy and the just transition to net zero both areas "will serve communities and the economy, and indeed the country, extremely well."
“It’s a fascinating and extremely useful report that provides valuable insight into what it really means to live and work in the Highlands and Islands, where the strengths are and the vulnerabilities," he said.
“It quantifies the challenges and inequalities, while clarifying some of the factors that residents really value about the region.
“There are many well documented advantages and opportunities, particularly around renewable energy and the just transition to net zero. These qualities will serve communities and the economy, and indeed the country, extremely well if we can tap into them effectively.
“What this report makes clear is that sustained and flexible investment will be required in order to make that happen. It will serve as a vital reference across the public sector, informing policy development and investment decisions at local, regional and national levels in line with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.”
