Alasdair Allan,  MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has criticised comments made by Anas Sarwar SNP, the leader of Scottish Labour, at First Minister’s Questions yesterday , which suggested that  the replacement vessel for Calmac’s MV Lord of the Isles should be made by direct award to Ferguson’s, apparently without any real discussion of that idea with island communities. 

Allan said that, wherever the ferry was built, heed had to be taken of islanders’ priorities, calling Labour’s comments in Parliament “utterly tone deaf to the local concern to ensure a vessel is built in a reasonable timescale”. 

Earlier this week, the GMB Union published an open letter, signed by local representatives from Port Glasgow and the surrounding area, calling for the Scottish Government to give a direct award to the Ferguson Marine shipyard.

In response, the South Uist Business Impact Group issued a statement, which highlighted their sympathy for the yard’s workforce, while making it clear that island lives, livelihoods, and long-term sustainability must also be considered. 

Alasdair commented:

“Island communities have been clear that what matters most is that new ferries are delivered on time, on budget, and fit for purpose.

“A thorough, fair and transparent process is the wayto decide who builds the new vessel for the Lochboisdale run. That may well prove to be a Scottish shipyard, but as ministers indicated yesterday, is only through a process that listens to local priorities that islanders can have confidence their lifeline services are being properly safeguarded.

“It is very unwise of Labour to pre-empt such a process, and islanders’ views do not even seem to feature in their current posturing on this issue. Labour’s comments appear more focused on political point-scoring than on listening to the voices of those who will ultimately rely on the vessel.

“When it comes to ferries, we must put island communities first. That means ensuring procurement is based on competence, delivery, and value for money — not on political slogans.”

The SNP Government is supporting 2,040 disabled people across the Western Isles through the Adult Disability Payment, according to new figures from Social Security Scotland.

As of July 2025, 17,865,375 Adult Disability Payments had been made across Scotland, including 85,065 in the Western Isles. A total of 484,055 people are receiving support this way across the country.

The Payment, distributed by Social Security Scotland, goes to those with a long-term disability or health condition that impacts their everyday life. It can amount to up to £110 a week. 

Alasdair Allan MSP said:

“In government, the SNP has built a social security system rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.

“This had made an enormous difference to people across our islands, with over 85,000 payments issued to over 2000 local vulnerable adults, supporting them to live fulfilled lives. 

“Every person who needs support should be able to access it, and the SNP will keep delivering that. I encourage everyone in the Western Isles who thinks they could be eligible to check and ensure they get the support they are entitled to.”

https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/reporting/publications/adult-disability-payment-statistics-to-31-july-2025 

46 empty homes have been brought back into use in the Western Isles over the last year, according to figures from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership.  

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership was created by the SNP Scottish Government in 2010 to bring disused homes back into use – and has brought 12,955 into use since then, including 345 over the last 10 years in the Western Isles  

The progress has been welcomed by local MSP Alasdair Allan, who has re-iterated the SNP Government’s commitment to housing in Scotland.  

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:  

“I welcome the news that over the last year, 46 more empty homes have been brought back into use locally, part of a record high 2,066 empty homes brought back into use by the Scottish Government’s scheme. I would also like to commend the work of the Comhairle on this front, and in particular their Empty Homes Officer.

“We are all aware of the scale of the housing crisis here in the Western Isles and across Scotland – so every home brought back into use is a victory.   

“Empty homes alone won’t solve the housing emergency – but bringing them back into use is cost-effective and supports communities, making it a core part of our plan to tackle the housing emergency in Scotland.” 

Full report can be found here: https://emptyhomespartnership.scot/impact-report/2025/annual-impact-report-2025/