Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has challenged Scottish ministers in Holyrood over the use of data from the Scottish Census.
Speaking at Constitution, External Affairs and Culture questions, Mr Halcro Johnston raised concerns about the impact on public service delivery in the Highlands and Islands of delays in holding the census and releasing key data.
He highlighted the critical role data plays in focusing efforts to address issues such as depopulation and community sustainability, expressing disappointment that the Scottish Government appeared not to be assessing the impact of any delays on local strategic planning.
Mr Halcro Johnston said:
“I think all MSPs understand the importance of the data that the Census collects, and that is especially important when decisions and planning is being done on delivering services in our rural and island communities.
“Unfortunately, the Scottish Government chose to delay holding the census in Scotland, driving up the cost to the taxpayer by about £30m, and meaning that we are still waiting on key data to be published.
“That matters when focusing public efforts – whether those efforts are by the Scottish Government themselves, their agencies or by local councils – on issues like depopulation and the sustainability of often remote rural and island communities.
“The Scottish Government’s own depopulation strategy was launched before all the data from the census has been made available, and I’m disappointed that the Cabinet Secretary seemed unwilling – or unable – to tell me if they have done any analysis of how delays to data being available have impacted on strategic policy planning and delivery.
“It would seem to me to be important that, given it was Scottish ministers in Edinburgh who chose to delay the census in Scotland – at considerable cost, they should be honest about how that may have impacted on the rural and island communities I represent”.
Mr Halcro Johnston said he did welcome the opportunity offered by the Cabinet Secretary to meet with key Scottish Government agencies to discuss how data was being used and changes to how it may be used in the future. He said he would be taking up that invitation.
ENDS
Notes to editor
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP asked the following questions to Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson MSP.
Question ref. S6O-03326: To ask the Scottish Government how data from the most recent Scottish census is being used.
Supplementary question
The Highlands and Islands already face many challenges, including in the delivery of public services like healthcare, housing, and vital lifeline transport links.
Failure to deliver these properly risks the very sustainability of some our communities, with depopulation a constant threat.
The Scottish Government’s depopulation action plan was published in February of this year, but that is before key data from the Scottish Census has been released.
We know the census was delayed. We know it was millions of pounds overbudget. But can I ask the Cabinet Secretary what analysis the Scottish Government has undertaken – or is planning to undertake - on the impact of the delayed release of census data on their policy development and delivery? And on the ability of other organisations - like local councils in the Highlands and Islands - to deliver on their work?
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP’s question can be viewed here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-april-24-2024?clip_start=14:04:27&clip_end=14:07:31
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