A new Scottish Government report has delivered the message that the needs of island communities should be considered in all legislation.
More than 90% of people who responded to a Scottish Government consultation on the future of island communities called for laws to be “island-proofed” and to avoid a “one size fits all” approach to government.
Islands Minister Derek Mackay welcomed the feedback as “very positive”, but the Scottish Liberal Democrats said that after nine years in government, “islanders would like rather more than a promise of some jam tomorrow”.
On a visit to Arran, Mr Mackay said: “The consultation findings will help inform the future development of a draft Islands Bill.
“Such a bill will be a key way of drawing together the work of the ministerial group, and channelling our focus to ensure we provide real change for all our island communities.
“This government has placed the needs and aspirations of our island communities at the very centre of our empowerment agenda.
“We have started a very positive journey, and made good progress, but there is more to do.”
However, in a joint statement, Northern Isles MSPs, Tavish Scott and Liam McArthur, said: “The SNP have been the islands’ government for nine years. So islanders would like rather more than a promise of some jam tomorrow.
“This is a government that has cut ferry fares on the west coast while increasing them for the people of Orkney and Shetland.
“It has cut school budgets, resources of health services are being reduced and crofters and farmers have been subjected to the shambles of late CAP payments.
“The SNP government will be judged on their record and it isn’t good.”
