Island MPs have demanded more urgency from Westminster over the delivery of a growth deal for Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Discussions about an Islands Growth Deal have been ongoing between Whitehall departments since the summer.
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said the “silent treatment” over the deal needed to end as he called on ministers to publish a timetable for the delivery of investment.
Mr Allan also called for any funding announced by the Scottish Government for the Islands to be matched by the UK Government.
He said: “Since the Islands Growth Deal was officially announced last summer the Tory government have been giving us the silent treatment – no commitment, no timescale and no cash offer.
“It’s time for a bit of honesty from the Tories. Have they simply given up on Scotland and abandoned their promises to match investment?”
Western Isles Angus MacNeil MP added: “The economic prosperity and jobs of islanders is on the line here. This growth deal could help create hundreds of jobs so it’s time that we were given a straight answer.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “The UK Government has already committed £1.4 billion of funding for ten city and growth deals in Scotland and confirmed three new deals which bring 100% coverage across Scotland.
“The Secretary of State for Scotland confirmed in Parliament last week he was in discussions with the Treasury over funding for the upcoming Islands Deal.”
