Last week, the SNP Government published its first Annual Report of the National Islands Plan.
The National Islands Plan provides a framework for action in order to meaningfully improve outcomes for island communities.
It sets out 13 Strategic Objectives and over 100 commitments which must be delivered over a five-year period, such as addressing population decline, improving transport, providing better housing and tackling fuel poverty, as well as improving digital connectivity.
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year, setting out the progress made towards delivery.
This document is the first of these reports, covering the entirety of 2020 it will "inform future Scottish Government spending and investment".
The SNP Government's Islands Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said:
"The importance of our island communities to Scotland’s identity, cultural heritage, economy and civic life cannot be overstated – ensuring that islands communities continue to thrive in the current environment, and in future, is crucial.
"The National Islands Plan provides a framework for action in order to meaningfully improve outcomes for island communities."
Local SNP candidate for Arran Kenneth Gibson added:
"I am especially delighted that the SNP Government continue supporting recovery planning in our islands through apprenticeships, upskilling and re-skilling.
"Said additional funding is available through a Rural Uplift to training providers, to support delivery and assessment of training in rural areas, including Arran."
The full report can be accessed here.
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