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Government gives islanders own guide on independence

Derek Mackay
Derek Mackay

Islanders are being provided with a tailored guide on the “benefits” of independence.

On top of a booklet from the Scottish Government on the national impact of separation, those living in the northern and Western Isles will get a 12-page tract on what extra powers they will get in the event of a Yes vote.

It follows on from the Our Islands Our Future campaign mounted by the three islands councils for more influence over their affairs, no matter that the referendum outcome.

Local government minister Derek Mackay said: “Independence would provide huge benefits to our island communities.

“That is why this week, in addition to the new 12-page guide to independence that is being sent to 2.5million Scottish households, we are providing islanders with a separate guide that sets out how island communities will be empowered.

“The unique nature of Scotland’s island communities has been recognised through our recent prospectus, Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities, which sets out a comprehensive package of powers which recognise their distinctive needs and priorities.

“At the heart of this is a commitment to bring forward a bill for an Islands Act upon independence, placing a duty on the Scottish Government and other public bodies to ‘island-proof’ their functions and decisions, and to create a post of minister for island communities, giving the islands an even stronger voice at the heart of government.

“It is only with independence that the unique needs of islands can be recognised in a written constitution or that we will have the opportunity to ensure all island communities receive the net income from the adjacent inshore seabed, which currently passes through the Crown Estate to the Treasury.”