SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed yesterday afternoon’s announcement from the Scottish Government that a resilience fund will be established to support island businesses. The support will assist island businesses with the impact of challenges such as travel disruption locally.

The details of the fund’s operation will be discussed today at a meeting of the South Uist Business Impact Group, which will be attended by the Western Isles’ MSP Alasdair Allan and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, who is undertaking a range of engagements locally this week.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“I welcome this announcement from the Transport Secretary on this additional support for our islands, particularly as local businesses and residents in Uist endure another challenging period where the effects of the wider network resilience are significantly affecting them.

“While I think everyone would agree that a consistent, reliable ferry service from every port is what islanders want and need, the disruption caused in recent weeks and months by a number of major vessels being out of service simultaneously have again highlighted the lack of resilience in the network at present, until the new vessels are in service.

“This initial £4.4m in funding, being put in place for island businesses in areas and sectors of most acute need, is an important step forward in the Scottish Government’s continued support for our islands’ economy. This is in addition to the existing 100% rates relief for island hospitality businesses, which I know has been hugely helpful for many enterprises locally, and also the further financial support included in the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund since 2022.

“I look forward to today’s meeting with stakeholders in South Uist where more of the detail of the resilience funding will be discussed.”