Categories: News

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick welcomes additional support for island communities

Emma Roddick MSP pictured at Nairn railway station, representing her constituency and advocating for local communities.

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the launch of a £1.4 million Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund, stating that the extra support will be a lifeline for many islanders in the coming months.

The emergency fund, which was announced by the Scottish Government in early November as part of the 2022/23 Emergency Budget Review, has been allocated directly to local island authorities and will target immediate support for those struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Speaking on the launch, Ms Roddick said:

“This extra support is very welcome news for our island communities and will be a real lifeline for so many in the coming months.

“Islanders were already dealing with higher living costs before the cost-of-living crisis. In the current economic climate, the situation for many islanders has been pretty much impossible to navigate.

“Every day, I hear another story of folk in the islands struggling with soaring energy costs as the days get colder. This extra funding will be a huge relief for those people and will alleviate the immense pressures so many are facing this winter.

“During this cost-of-living crisis, caused by reckless Tory governance, this Scottish Government has remained committed to protecting the wellbeing of people in Scotland. The Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund is just another example of how Scotland is striving to be a country that looks after all of its people, not just the wealthy.”

ENDS

Notes

Funding allocation:

Local Authority Resource (000) Capital (000)

Argyll & Bute 155 42

Highland 115 32

Na h-Eileanan Siar 283 77

North Ayrshire 63 17

Orkney 240 65

Shetland 244 67

(This funding is for the 2022/23 financial year)