SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed today’s announcement that the Scottish Government will establish a £1.4 million Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund. The announcement was made during the Deputy First Minister’s Emergency Budget Review in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

The fund will support island households who already experience higher costs of living than other areas of Scotland due to a combination of factors including high fuel costs, climate, geography and a lack of consumer choice.

Commenting following this afternoon’s announcement, Allan said:

“I welcome the news of this new fund aimed specifically at island households, recognising the unique cost-of-living challenges facing islanders.

“As the Deputy First Minister made clear, decisions taken by the UK Government have contributed in no small way to the worsening of the UK’s economic outlook, with high inflation rates meaning the Scottish Government’s budget is now worth £1.7 billion less than it was last December.

“However, I am glad that, while difficult savings decisions have been forced on the Scottish Government in the budget review today, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate the impact of decisions taken at Westminster, directing support to those who need it most.

“I look forward to further details being made available about the scope of the fund, and I hope that this will go some way towards helping households throughout our islands weather what will certainly be a very difficult winter for a great many people.”