COSLA LAUNCHES FIRST IN A SERIES OF WHITE PAPERS
COSLA has launched Working Towards Achieving a More Balanced Population in Scotland, the first in a series of white papers to be published in advance of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
Scottish councils are facing increasingly complex and deeply rooted population challenges, and COSLA is calling for urgent, coordinated action to address them.
This paper provides a detailed examination of these issues and sets out practical recommendations across key policy areas to support a more sustainable and balanced population.
Launching the paper, COSLA described achieving population balance as a central priority for Scottish local government.
With some areas experiencing rapid growth, others facing significant depopulation, and many managing both pressures simultaneously within their boundaries, the need for strategic intervention has never been greater.
COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, Cllr Maureen Chalmers, said: “I am delighted to be launching our population white paper today.
“Achieving a more balanced population is a priority for Scottish Local Government and COSLA, and it is imperative that this remains a priority for the new Scottish Government administration following the election.
“Our white paper highlights the diverse population challenges faced by councils across Scotland, from those that are experiencing rapid population growth, to those facing critical depopulation, as well as the many dealing with both challenges within their council area. It proposes recommendations across three key priority areas: economy, workforce and jobs; housing; and transport.
“Scottish councils are best placed to lead population balance efforts but require support from both Scottish and UK Government to achieve our aims.
“We are calling on our national politicians to commit to working with us to implement the recommendations that we have set out today.”