News - Naidheachdan

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has been successful in amending the Natural Environment Bill at Stage 2 to extend deer culling rights for crofters and tenant farmers.

Currently, tenants can only act to control deer on “improved land” and enclosed woodland, leaving moorland and most common grazings vulnerable to damage. Deer move freely across these landscapes, and can cause harm to crops, woodland regeneration and livestock, as well as contributing to tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Louping ill.

By extending the right to cull deer to all types of agricultural land and woodland which is occupied —including moorland—and empowering grazings committees, the policy will enable local communities to play an active role in achieving national biodiversity targets and reducing deer densities across Scotland’s landscapes.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“My amendment responds directly to the concerns of crofters, tenant farmers, and rural communities who face increasing damage from rising deer numbers. I would like to thank stakeholders such as the Scottish Crofting Federation for their engagement with Parliament on this issue.

“The amendment passed in committee yesterday evening extends the right of occupiers to take or kill deer to all types of land, including moorland, and empowers grazings committees to act collectively – it’s a simple, low-cost measure that supports Scotland’s biodiversity strategy and our national target to reduce deer densities by 50,000 annually. Safeguards will of course remain in place including close-season restrictions to ensure safety and welfare, and it will be important to ensure secondary legislation includes relevant health and safety provisions both regarding the shooting of deer and in the safe storage of venison locally.

“I hope that Parliament will vote to retain my additions to the Bill when it comes to its final vote.”

 

 

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has expressed his disappointment in the lack of support for Scotland’s island and rural communities, following the UK Labour Government’s autumn budget.   
 
The implications of the UK Budget on the spending available for Scotland’s public services are yet to be fully calculated. Any increase there is, however, may well come down in large part to Labour’s capitulation to SNP demands to scrap the two-child benefit cap, which discriminates against children in larger families. 
 
Allan commented:   
 
“Following today’s chaotic Budget announcement, it is difficult to spot measures that will help islanders in these difficult times.    
 
“We were promised that last year’s tax hikes from Labour would be a one-off, but instead we see a range of new taxes that diddle round the edge of the economy on everything on everything from electric vehicles to Irn Bru.   
 
“Recent figures indicate 40% of Western Isles residents live in fuel poverty, and a quarter of island households live in extreme fuel poverty. The measures the Chancellor talked about to deal with energy costs still leave heating a home more expensive than it was when Labour came to power. 
 
“Most of the anti-poverty measures the Chancellor introduced in England have already been introduced by the SNP in Scotland or indeed surpassed.  Even those policies have only been introduced owing to a Labour backbench rebellion and SNP pressure. This is still the same Chancellor that attempted to make cuts to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable.   
 
“Voters were promised change, but all we’ve seen is a rudderless Labour Government in London. In the meantime, the SNP Scottish Government continues to use its limited resources to mitigate the worst effects of Westminster’s economic mismanagement.   
“It's time for Scotland to manage its own economic affairs with the full powers of independence so we can legislate economic policies that deliver for our islands.  We certainly can’t afford to wait for decisions about our own taxes and public services to be made for us in Westminster.” 

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, is encouraging all those eligible across the Western Isles to get their flu jag this winter.   
Children, young people and vulnerable adults alongside the elderly are eligible for a free flu jag which will help protect them and reduce winter pressures on the NHS during the colder months ahead.   
Uptake is being encourage following a £20 million investment announcement by the Scottish Government to reduce winter pressures on local hospitals and support hard working NHS staff.   
Allan commented:  
“Flu can be serious, especially for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. So, making use of your free flu fag is a good way to protect yourself, loved ones and our NHS this winter.   
“I’d urge everyone, especially parents and carers across the islands to check if they’re also eligible.   
“Let's all do our bit this winter to keep our cherished NHS as effective as possible this winter whilst keeping our islands safe and healthy."

Alasdair Allan, SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has highlighted that pensioners have begun receiving financial support to help heat their homes this winter, as temperatures drop across the Western Isles. 

The first payments from the SNP Scottish Government’s Pension Age Winter Heating Payment have now been processed and are starting to appear in pensioners’ accounts, with most recipients receiving their payments automatically.  

Allan commented:  

“This week has seen the Met Office issue a Yellow Weather Warning for ice across the islands, so it’s very welcome that pensioners have started to receive support to heat their homes this winter.  

“The Western Isles face some of the highest levels of fuel poverty and Labour promised to bring energy bills down. A year on, we see heating bills continue to rise and Labour face a disastrous U-turn in attempting to scrap winter fuel payments.

“I don’t claim that the measures that have come into force in Scotland can address the whole problem, but they have ensured Western Isles pensioners have more support this winter. “

ALASDAIR ALLAN WELCOMES £1.5 MILLION SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT FUNDING AWARD FOR ISLAND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed news that over £1.5 million in Scottish Government funding has been awarded to support a range of sustainable, community-led projects across the Western Isles.

The funding, announced as part of the 2025–26 Islands Programme and the Carbon Neutral Islands Fund, will back five local initiatives designed to strengthen community infrastructure, preserve island heritage, and help deliver Scotland’s net zero ambitions.

Projects in Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Scalpay and Vatersay are set to benefit, with investments focused on improving energy efficiency, regenerating vital community spaces, and creating facilities that will serve local people for generations to come.

  • Scalpay Community Heritage Centre – awarded £647,280 to begin the first phase of redevelopment of the island’s only community hall. The work will make the building more accessible, energy efficient, and better equipped to meet community needs.
  • Leverburgh Village Hall Regeneration Project– receiving £474,071 to upgrade and modernise facilities, ensuring the hall remains a focal point for local events and activities.
  • Comunn Eachdraidh Nis – granted £100,000 to enhance this key heritage hub, preserving local history while supporting cultural tourism and education.
  • North Uist Community Heritage Centre (Carinish Old School) – awarded £83,235 to help transform the historic site into a dynamic centre for community use and heritage engagement.
  • Vatersay Community Hall and Café – Decarbonising Community Spaces – benefiting from £249,007 through the Carbon Neutral Islands Fund, supporting major improvements in energy efficiency and emissions reduction.

The funding is part of a wider £5.9 million Scottish Government package supporting 23 island projects across six local authorities, coordinated by the Scottish Futures Trust to promote sustainable island development.

Commenting, Dr Allan said:

“This is tremendous news for communities across the Western Isles. With support from the Scottish Government, local groups are leading the way in revitalising our community buildings, cutting carbon emissions and preserving our island heritage.

“From Ness to Vatersay, these funds will support the kind of local-led initiatives that keep our island communities thriving. I would like to thank all the community groups involved as well as the Comhairle for their hard work in securing this investment which will have a lasting impact on people across the Western Isles.”

 

SNP’S LAND REFORM BILL AN “IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD” FOR ISLAND COMMUNITIES

The Scottish Government’s Land Reform Bill is expected to be passed by the Scottish Parliament this evening in an important step forward for communities in the islands and across Scotland. The final stage of the bill is to be discussed in Holyrood today and seeks to empower small communities and tackle concentration of land ownership across Scotland.

Key measures being brought forward include lotting provisions which will allow communities to buy smaller portions of land upon an estate’s sale. Prior notifications of land sales for communities will also be implemented through this legislation. Meanwhile, the requirement for Land Management Plans will require greater transparency, engagement and proactive use of land assets in line with national objectives.

Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, is expected to say in today’s debate:

“The land is an important part of who we are, and so I am proud of our long-standing commitment to delivering meaningful land reform, diversifying land ownership in the public interest.

“However, the concentration of land ownership can be seen to have worsened again in recent years, with 421 landowners owning 50% of private rural land (down from 440 in 2012).

“Looking forward now, it is important to use the legislative levers available to us to prevent asset management companies… from any aggressive acquisition of huge swathes of our hillsides. The ongoing challenge for all of us will be to ensure local communities remain able to make productive, positive use of the land around them for the benefit of everyone living in the area.

“This bill represents an important step forward in Scotland’s progress on land reform, empowering communities to give themselves a future.”

 

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