Scottish Secretary Western Isles

Scottish Secretary David Mundell has been warned the Western Isles seriously risks losing out on hundreds of new jobs and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to revitalise the struggling economy unless there is a change in government policy.

A vision of being the energy powerhouse of Europe will disappear unless action is taken soon to allow the Scottish islands operate on a level playing field with mainland Britain, it was stressed to Mr Mundell during a visit to Lewis on Thursday.

The Scottish secretary pledged the UK government’s commitment to work towards combating the one-size-fits-all government policies which impose disadvantages onto island communities.

The three councils of the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland established the Our Islands Our Future campaign in an attempt to persuade both Westminster and the Scottish Government to give them more autonomy.

There was no legal obligation on the new Conservative government to honour a ten-point plan agreed with the previous Coalition government so Mr Mundell’s commitment is warmly welcomed by Western Isles Council.

During a long discussion with council leaders in Stornoway, he was told present rules on renewable energy are holding back the creation of a booming industry and causing economic damage.

There is still no concrete guarantee of getting a £750 million subsea cable to export wind and wave farm electricity from Lewis to mainland markets.

Even then, island wind farms will be disadvantaged as the electricity transmission system charges up to around 60 times more to export energy from the Hebrides compared to a generator in the south of England.

Changes in windfarm subsidies risk affecting island energy developments.

Council leader Angus Campbell said they discussed issues which are “critical for the future of the islands’ economy.”

Policies affecting the fishing industry, marine planning and the need to tackle expensive fuel prices and combat fuel poverty were also on the table.

The bane of a widespread poor mobile phone network - with a complete absence of signal in numerous island areas - was raised as well.

A “long debate” was held on devolving the Crown Estate seabed assets with the council stressing the necessity for legislation so the Scottish islands get revenue from seabed rentals for fish farms and marine energy developments on their shore on top of long term management control.

Mr Campbell said “discussions focused on issues critical for the local economy” to help tackle the “loss of population and young people leaving the islands.”

He added: “The whole point of Our Islands Our Future campaign is the need to take action to do things differently to turn around that situation.”

A subsea cable is “very, very important” as it would let the islands to export wind and marine renewable electricity into the national “energy network for the next 100 years which would be an economic driver for the islands.”

Mr Mundell said: “It was a very positive meeting.

“I want to convey my support for the Our Islands Our Future initiative and to continue to work to make sure the key commitment for island-proofing actually happens in relation to the roll-out of policy.”

Scottish Secretary warned government policies disadvantage the Western Isles

31 July 2015

Scottish secretary David Mundell tries out Harris Tweed weaving on his visit to Lewis