Call for Action Following Islands Forum

20 October 2023 at 10:17:17

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomed UK Government representatives Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Jacob Young MP, Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport in Scottish Government, and representatives from UK local authorities to Stornoway for the latest meeting of the UK Islands Forum.

The Islands Forum was established in 2022 to encourage collaboration to tackle common challenges and to allow the UK Government to hear and learn from island communities to inform future policy.

Discussion at the forum focussed on the key issue of island connectivity and the role of Government in supporting island areas.

Speaking following the event, Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said:

"This week's islands Forum saw in depth discussions on potential solutions to the connectivity challenges faced by island residents across the UK. While these discussions were positive, we must work to ensure that they lead to real actions that benefit island residents.
The Western Isles is facing the very real issue of depopulation. Improving connectivity is a key step to encouraging individuals to live, work and learn in the area. We cannot expect businesses to trade from the Western Isles if they cannot guarantee the transport of goods to and from the islands. We cannot expect families to set up home in the Western Isles if they cannot rely on transport links to the mainland to access key services and the promise of remote working in the Western Isles is not possible without reliable broadband connections. We cannot ask individuals to make long term decisions about their future based on short term guarantees of service delivery.
For solutions to be achieved to these challenges islands cannot be an afterthought and must be a priority. I look forward to continuing dialogue with Local Government colleagues, the UK Government and the Scottish Government to identify the long-term funding solutions that will reverse the neglect of island communities and give island residents the confidence to make long-term decisions for their own futures as part of our island communities."