Western Isles Demographic Trends

That the Parliament notes Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s report on the demographic structure of the Western Isles; welcomes the recent increase in migration to the Western Isles which is a tribute to the high quality of life, beauty of landscape and openness of its people that the islands provide; is concerned to see a long-term decrease in the number of schoolchildren, people of working age and women of child-bearing age in the Western Isles; is further concerned that only 29% of current inward migrants to the islands are women; acknowledges the threat to the island way of life in the isles by a rising age structure and dependent population ratio, and calls on the Scottish Executive to work with the local authority and look at ways to encourage more women and families to the islands to protect their long-term future.