SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has written to Openreach, who maintain UK telephone and broadband lines, urging them to conduct urgent repairs on a phone line connecting many vulnerable Western Isles residents to the Faire Telecare Network.

The network, operated by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar’s Social and Community Services, provides a phone link for vulnerable and elderly people, by connecting them to the Alarm Receiving Centre, and from there to a network of neighbours and volunteers.

The service does require a telephone line. However, one of the lines used for the service was recently cut by accident. Whilst Openreach have been working to repair the line, residents have been told they could have to wait up to five working days before the telecare network is operational again.

Following the news, Allan commented:

“Naturally, the prospect of having to wait nearly a week to get this vital service operational again will be a great concern to many families.

“This is a truly lifeline service, provided in both English and Gaelic for some of the for some of the frailest and potentially most isolated people in the country.

“I have contacted Openreach to ask what they will now do to expedite these repairs in order to ensure that the system is fully operational again as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone who is experiencing difficulties or knows somebody who is unable to use Faire to contact me.”

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has encouraged all eligible Western Isles residents to get their winter flu and COVID boosters jags to protect themselves against serious illness this year. Eligible people include over 65s, pregnant women, individuals with certain health conditions and front-line workers.

Latest figures show that, so far this winter, nearly half of eligible adults for NHS Western Isles have received their flu and COVID-19 vaccines. People have until 31^st March to receive their jags but are being encouraged to book an appointment as soon as possible.

Scotland had the highest uptake of flu vaccines amongst people over 65 in the UK last winter, with research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) showing that 79.8% of people over 65 in Scotland received their winter flu vaccine. This was a higher percentage than in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Following the release of this data, Allan commented:

“We know the best way to protect yourself against the flu and COVID is to get vaccinated this winter.

“The vaccines will reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital with serious illness and will help to protect those around you from catching flu and getting ill. 

“It is hugely encouraging that Scotland had the highest uptake of vaccines in the UK last winter. Whilst it’s encouraging to see that nearly half of those eligible in the Western Isles have received their jag, I strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to book an appointment before the end of March.

“Winter is always a busy time for the National Health Service, so we should all do our bit to take any undue strain off the NHS this winter by getting vaccinated.

“If you have any questions or need assistance in booking your appointment, I strongly encourage you get in touch with your local GP surgery.”

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed MV Glen Sannox’s entry to service in the CalMac fleet. The vessel, which carried her first passengers yesterday between the mainland and Arran, has also undergone berthing trials which would allow her to operate out of several Hebridean ports, if needed in future. 

There were many challenges which caused significant delays to the completion of MV Glen Sannox and her sister ship MV Glen Rosa, which is now due to be handed over to CalMac in September of this year.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“It is encouraging to see this new major vessel enter service this week, marking a significant step forward in delivering the resilience our west coast ferry network has been lacking in recent years.

“The MV Glen Sannox is the first of six new major vessels due to enter service by 2026. There is also a full renewal of the small vessel fleet planned by 2030, with the construction of at least ten new small vessels, including replacements for the vessels operating on the Sound of Barra and Sound of Harris . The Scottish Government is continuing to invest heavily in new vessels and port infrastructure in order to achieve the consistent and reliable ferry services all our islands deserve.”

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has written to the UK Government, in his capacity as Scotland’s Minister for Climate Action, seeking to protect households in Scotland who face uncertainty about their energy supplies after June this year.

Over 2,700 of these households are in the Western Isles, and will be affected by the planned switch-off of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) on which their existing electricity meters depend.

Current figures indicate that more than 165,000 homes in Scotland are still using RTS meters which, by this summer, may not function correctly. This could potentially cause disruption to heating bills and hot water supplies or households and businesses facing higher bills.

Although energy suppliers are working to switch existing RTS meter users over to smart meters, with less than six months to go until the switch-off, many fear that converting every RTS meter will now not be logistically possible before June.

In his letter, Alasdair Allan has urged the UK Government, who are responsible for energy policy, to introduce penalties for companies who fail to replace RTS meters before the switch-off.

Allan commented:

“I often receive correspondence from my own constituents over their concerns about the upcoming RTS switch-off, but this is a problem that affects all parts of Scotland.

“Whilst Scotland only makes up 10% of UK households, more than 25% of RTS meter users are in Scotland. Many of them are located in rural and island communities such as the Western Isles.

“I believe that there must, as a matter of urgency, be RTS-related obligations included in Ofgem licence conditions that compel suppliers to use every tool available to ensure households and businesses across the country are not left behind.

“If constituents have any concerns or questions about the switch-off, I strongly encourage them to get in touch with me. Advice and support is also available from Citizens Advice Scotland and Advice Direct Scotland.

“Although I remain hopeful of a constructive dialogue with the UK Government, on this, the progress made to date by them around this problem is frustratingly slow.”