Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Scottish Island Communities

Wednesday 16 March 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government have committed 50 million to the islands growth deal.
  • Discussions with local partners on the development of an islands forum are ongoing.
  • The Minister welcomes proposals for the renewal and replacement of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Scotland Local Government
Context

The question arises from the need to support Scottish islands with specific funding and forums.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support Scottish island communities. The UK Government have committed £50 million to the islands growth deal, which has resulted in islands communities benefiting from the highest per capita deal in Scotland.

Answer from Iain Stewart

The UK Government have committed £50 million to the islands growth deal. The levelling-up White Paper announced the development of an islands forum, and discussions with local partners on how to progress that important work are ongoing.

Answered
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Q2 Simon Jupp
Community Security Local Government
Context

The announcement of an islands forum in the levelling-up White Paper has raised interest among island communities.

Question

What progress is being made on the new islands forum proposed in the levelling-up White Paper? It will connect island communities from Scotland to the south-west with key decision makers.

Answer from Iain Stewart

On Monday, I had a useful conversation with the leader and chief executive of Orkney Islands Council. We are inviting local partners to discuss with us how best the forum can operate and deliver what we want to achieve in the islands.

Answered
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Q3 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Transport Scotland
Context

Concerns about the reliability of ferry services for Scottish islands have been raised, citing specific failures by the SNP government.

Question

The best support that any Government can give to an island community is access to a reliable and frequent ferry service. The SNP has failed miserably in this regard. Does my hon. Friend agree that the SNP has let down island communities across Scotland?

Answer from Iain Stewart

It is of great concern to island communities that they cannot rely on ferry services. I welcome proposals in Transport Scotland's strategic plan for the renewal and replacement of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, but its record does not fill me with confidence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question about the SNP's failure was only partially addressed without a clear commitment or denial.

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Q4 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Economy Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers in Scotland's islands face challenges with fuel costs, fertilizers, and import competition.

Question

Farmers and crofters in all Scotland's islands communities are facing the perfect storm of massive increases in the cost of fuel and fertilisers and increased competition on price from imports. Does the Minister agree that this would be a good time to revisit the work of the Groceries Code Adjudicator? Would he meet me and a delegation from the National Farmers Union of Scotland?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I have made two visits to Orkney and Shetland, hearing these concerns first hand. I would be delighted to meet Mr Carmichael and a delegation from NFU Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for revisiting the Groceries Code Adjudicator's work was not directly addressed, only an offer of meeting was given.

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