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Islands strategy a 'great idea' Islands strategy a 'great idea'
(about 4 hours later)
First Minister Jack McConnell has backed the idea of developing a new strategy for supporting Scotland's island communities.First Minister Jack McConnell has backed the idea of developing a new strategy for supporting Scotland's island communities.
He was responding to calls for a new deal for islanders at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Forres.He was responding to calls for a new deal for islanders at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Forres.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) chairman Willie Roe has asked for the cost of life on the islands to be put on a par with living in cities.Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) chairman Willie Roe has asked for the cost of life on the islands to be put on a par with living in cities.
He said there should be improvements to transport and healthcare.He said there should be improvements to transport and healthcare.
Mr McConnell was speaking at the opening of the convention.Mr McConnell was speaking at the opening of the convention.
We are prepared to face up to our responsibilities and are prepared to do so First Minister Jack McConnellWe are prepared to face up to our responsibilities and are prepared to do so First Minister Jack McConnell
He said: "The islands are a very special part of Scotland - part of our soul - but they are also part of modern Scotland and our economy too.He said: "The islands are a very special part of Scotland - part of our soul - but they are also part of modern Scotland and our economy too.
"So having a strategy is a great idea but servicing island communities costs money - transport, links, infrastructure.""So having a strategy is a great idea but servicing island communities costs money - transport, links, infrastructure."
Mr McConnell added: "But we in Scotland are receiving more per head of population level of expenditure from the rest of the UK, partly because we have these island communities.Mr McConnell added: "But we in Scotland are receiving more per head of population level of expenditure from the rest of the UK, partly because we have these island communities.
Long termLong term
"We are prepared to face up to our responsibilities.""We are prepared to face up to our responsibilities."
The population on many of Scotland's islands has been dropping for years.The population on many of Scotland's islands has been dropping for years.
Mr Roe said future prospects could be improved by a new "compact", a deal to make the cost of island life equivalent to mainland costs, and redesigning delivery of services like healthcare so it suits islanders better.Mr Roe said future prospects could be improved by a new "compact", a deal to make the cost of island life equivalent to mainland costs, and redesigning delivery of services like healthcare so it suits islanders better.
It would cost money in the long term, but Mr Roe believes it would also open the door for islanders, just as those on Gigha did when they bought over their island in 2002.It would cost money in the long term, but Mr Roe believes it would also open the door for islanders, just as those on Gigha did when they bought over their island in 2002.
The move reversed population loss and opened the way for new businesses.The move reversed population loss and opened the way for new businesses.
Jim Mather, Scottish National Party MSP for Highlands and Islands, welcomed the drawing up of a strategy.
He said: "More frequent and affordable travel options will help create a virtuous circle of new prosperity instead of a vicious circle of Scottish Executive quick fixes that for air travel are likely to end after the May 2007 elections."