Public services must collaborate to address demographic change

Radical reform to ensure public services collaborate effectively is needed if Scotland is to cope with its ageing population, according to a report published today by the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee.

The report into demographic change and an ageing population aims to contribute to the on-going debate on how Scotland will reform and deliver its public services in an ageing society.

While the Committee recognises the work already being done by the Scottish Government and main public services in responding to the impact of demographic change and an ageing population, it believes deep-rooted cultural and structural change is required to make any real progress.

Finance Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson MSP said: “Both our committee and its predecessor have consistently called for more effective collaborative working across public services. Resources must be pooled and good practice shared if we are to address demographic change and an ageing population.

“While myriad strategies and initiatives already exist, there is no clear evidence they are effective. We heard from witnesses that only improved partnership working can do that.”

The report on demographic change will be debated in Parliament at the beginning of March.

Background

The remit of the inquiry was – “To identify the impacts which demographic change and an ageing population will have primarily on the public finances in respect of the provision of health and social care, housing, and pensions and the labour force, and the planning being undertaken by the Scottish Government and key public bodies to mitigate such impacts.”