Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 21 May 2025
21 May 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Island Communities
I stand here to discuss the importance of empowering island communities in Scotland. These communities, which are often isolated and face unique challenges, are vital to the cultural and economic fabric of our nation. Empowering them means ensuring that they have the resources, infrastructure and support that are needed for them to thrive.
Islands play a valuable role in our economy through tourism, agriculture and fishing. Tourism alone generates £10.8 billion, which supports thousands of jobs and local businesses. However, under the SNP Government, those communities have faced significant challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, education, transportation and housing, which have hindered their growth and development.
In November 2023, I visited Cumbrae while serving on the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, and the lack of access to reliable ferry services was one of the main concerns of the island’s residents. It is astonishing that, despite the SNP’s promises, local businesses and job prospects are withering away due to the dire state of transport. Transport is not just a convenience for islanders—it is their lifeline.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17598, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on empowering Scotland’s island communities. I encourage members who...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
I am glad to open the debate and highlight the enduring importance of Scotland’s island communities and businesses. I will take this opportunity to outline t...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
The cabinet secretary is speaking about the due regard that ministers must give to island communities. Why, then, does her motion about empowering our island...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
We are talking about the national islands plan, and this is the opportunity for Parliament to feed into that. I will of course come on to transport, which is...
Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I get the point that money is being put into those communities, but does the cabinet secretary accept that we still face critical rural depopulation, because...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I will touch on that. The member raises a really important point. Depopulation is a critical focus for us as we develop the new plan. It is not an easy thing...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
SNP
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the lack of local residents from the islands represented on the boards of quangos and public bodies that provide lifeli...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Having local voices and engaging with communities is of course vital as we look to deliver critical services. As I was saying, at the end of 2023 we carried...
Douglas Ross
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I am sorry, but I have to make progress. When we tested the proposal with island communities and local authorities, it received robust endorsement. Commitme...
Douglas Ross
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way on that point?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I am sorry; I am approaching the end of my speech and I need to progress. While the new national islands plan takes shape, our determination to continue add...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
As my party’s spokesman on islands, as convener of the Parliament’s cross-party group on islands and as an islander myself, I am delighted to open today’s de...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
Our islands are wonderful places, and I am honoured to represent all but two of Scotland’s populated islands. Each island is different, with a different pers...
Tim Eagle
Con
I missed it if you said it, but I was wondering whether you would join me in welcoming residents of Mull who are in the gallery listening to the debate and w...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Always speak through the chair.
Rhoda Grant
Lab
Yes, I am happy to do that. I hope that the 2018 act will make a difference, because even at this stage, the Government could intervene to ensure that island...
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (Jim Fairlie)
SNP
Rhoda Grant has pointed out that those ferries are the responsibility of the local authorities. Does she accept, however, that, in Orkney in particular, we h...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Rhoda Grant, I can give you time back for the interventions.
Rhoda Grant
Lab
Yes, indeed. After many years of trying to get help from Government, some is now forthcoming; however, it is late, and the replacement needs to happen a bit ...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
I extend my apologies to everyone in the chamber for being late to the debate. I am grateful that today we are discussing and debating the need to empower S...
Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Ariane Burgess
Green
That was highlighted by the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s report, which was released last autumn. It is simply unacceptable that Government policy is no...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You have a generous four minutes.
Ariane Burgess
Green
I will close with a couple of comments. I apologise to Mr Lumsden, but I will not take the intervention. The review and extension of the rural and islands h...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I agree with the deserved recognition of the invaluable contribution of each of Scotland’s islands to the country’s economy, culture and identity. I have sai...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I was pleased to hear Beatrice Wishart talk about tunnels. Having visited the Faroe Islands and seen its wonderful tunnel network, I certainly think that the...
Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I stand here to discuss the importance of empowering island communities in Scotland. These communities, which are often isolated and face unique challenges, ...
Kenneth Gibson
SNP
Will the member take an intervention on that point?
Pam Gosal
Con
Have I got time to take an intervention, Deputy Presiding Officer?