According to The Sun, authorities in Scotland are planning to revive “life” on an island as the population is experiencing a significant decline.
Specifically, a new plan is being proposed for families and young people willing to relocate to several islands in Scotland. The Scottish government will offer £50,000 (equivalent to nearly 1.5 billion VND) to 100 people ready to pack their bags and move. The total investment for this “regeneration” plan amounts to over £5 million.
This plan is aimed at addressing the declining population issue.
This initiative is expected to encourage people to move to the islands of Scotland, which are facing population decline.
It is known that among the 93 islands included in this plan, several are listed among the most beautiful islands in the world, including Orkney and the Isle of Skye.
After the announcement of the financial incentive and the call for residents, many families have expressed great enthusiasm. There is even a family from South America that has registered to become residents in Scotland.
A representative from the authorities told the Times magazine about the plan to “recruit” residents to live on the islands: “We are doing everything within our power to reverse the trend of population decline.”
You could be paid £50,000 if you move to live on a Scottish island.
The representative also mentioned that the £50,000 bonus would be used to help people “buy homes, start businesses, and build a long-term life here.”
However, this “cash welcome” has also sparked differing opinions.
The Minister for Rural Affairs and Islands in Scotland, Mairi Gougeon, stated that this is a “positive step” to assist the islands. However, Liberal Democrat member Liam McArthur remarked that it is nothing more than a “publicity stunt” and suggested that the funds should instead be allocated to improving transportation and housing quality for residents.
Some islands, such as Orkney, often rank among the best places to live in the UK.
This new plan has generated a divide in opinions. Some view it as a positive initiative, while others label it a “publicity stunt.”
This is not the first time an island has offered money for people to move there.
In 2019, an island in Greece offered to pay people £450 (equivalent to 13 million VND) per month to live there.
In 2020, an island in Ireland proposed covering the costs of housing and food for residents who moved there.
In 2021, the Calabria region in Italy announced a plan to provide $33,000 (nearly 800 million VND) over a maximum of three years for those willing to move to villages with populations under 2,000.
Some of those villages include Civita, Samo & Precacore, Bova, Caccuri, Albidona, Sant’Agata del Bianco, and Santa Severina… All known for their “picturesque scenery.”
