Today’s signing of Islands Growth Deal could trigger nearly £400 million investment and create 1,300 jobs for Outer Hebrides and Northern Isles
20 January 2023
An agreement to invest £100 million in the future economic prosperity of the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland is to be signed today (Friday).
A further £293 million of investment is anticipated to result from the signing of the Islands Growth Deal and could create 1,300 jobs across the three island groups over ten years.
Sixteen significant schemes are being taken forward under the agreement between UK Government, Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Shetland Islands Council, and Orkney Islands Council.
Planned investment for the Western Isles includes an energy hub producing green hydrogen from renewable energy.
Another set of projects aims to push the island’s rich environment and cultural heritage to increase tourism.
An Outer Hebrides food and drink programme looks at developing community food hub and growing projects. Proposals are being considered for ice plant, chill facilities and other improvements at piers to boost the local seafood sector.
Building a spaceport in North Uist is also in line for support.
There’s also a proposed TalEntEd Islands programme, which will create opportunities for education, skills, and commercialisation, supporting the increase in sustainable green jobs across all three island groups.
In addition, funding is earmarked for a Creative Islands Wellbeing Programme which aims to establish new island networks of creative practice hubs and wellbeing innovation.
Investment projects are built around three strategic themes of low carbon, supporting growth and future industries, and thriving sustainable communities, subject to final approval.
Jointly funded by up to £100 million -
The first year of the programme is anticipated to see investment across the islands, including in UHI’s campuses in Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, and the pan-
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: "This will not just boost local economies and create jobs, but also empower communities to get the most out of the many assets and attributes that make the islands such unique and special places to live.
"This deal is packed with a broad range of high-
"The UK Government’s £50m support for the Islands deal, in addition to other levelling up investments, shows our continued commitment to the Scottish Islands."
Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “This Growth Deal will be a game-
“This £50 million Scottish Government investment will support the transition to renewable energy sources – including equipping the workforce with new skills – and trial emissions reduction initiatives on islands. It will drive innovation in key space, food and drink and creative industries sectors; help develop significant tourism and cultural attractions and expand education provision.
“We are determined that our islands should be attractive places to live and work and are able to maximise their contribution to Scotland’s sustainable economic transformation.”
Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “The signing of the Islands Growth Deal is both the culmination of a vision set out by the islands councils and the UK and Scottish governments and the beginning of the implementation of that vision.
“It is a milestone towards achieving our aims of securing 1300 jobs and £393m of investment over 10 years through the Islands Deal, using the resources of our islands and capitalising on our natural assets and most importantly, our people.”
A spaceport at Scolpaig is one of the projects expected to receive funding from the deal