£50,000 enticement to move to an island
2 August 2021
A cash bonus up to £50,000 would be offered to young people to set up home in fragile island communities in a scheme aimed at tackling population decline.
A consultation on the proposed Islands Bond has been launched.
£5 million has been earmarked for the initiative across the lifetime of the parliament.
Some 100 individuals or young families can apply for the money aimed at reversing the flow of people leaving the islands by supporting people to “buy, build or renovate homes, start businesses and otherwise make their lives for the long-
A list of specific islands covered by the bond has still to be drawn up.
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.”
: