On January 20th, UK and Scottish Government ministers, along with council leaders of Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides, signed a transformative Islands Growth Deal that aims to invest £100 million in the future economic prosperity of these island groups over a ten-year period. Up to 1,300 jobs and £393 million of investment is expected to result from the deal.
The Islands Growth Deal will focus on 16 projects and programs that leverage the islands' unique assets, with a particular emphasis on low carbon, supporting growth and future industries, and thriving sustainable communities. These projects include the development of the pan-island Islands Centre for Net Zero, based at the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus in Stromness, investment in the University of the Highlands and Islands' campuses in Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, and the creation of a "must-visit" St Kilda trail. The deal will be jointly funded by £50 million each from the Scottish and UK Governments, with the expectation that it will attract additional match funding of up to £293 million.
Following the signing ceremony, UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, said, "This will not just boost local economies and create jobs, but also empower communities to get the most out of the many assets and attributes that make the islands such unique and special places to live."
Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee added, "This Growth Deal will be a game-changing initiative for our islands – enabling sustainable economic growth and delivering new and internationally significant port infrastructure that will play an important role in achieving net zero targets."
Councillor James Stockan, Leader of Orkney Islands Council, said, "We have worked together to successfully achieve an impactful growth deal from our governments in both London and Edinburgh that will help secure a better future for us all."
Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said, "It is a milestone towards achieving our aims of securing 1300 jobs and £393m of investment over 10 years through the Islands Deal, using the resources of our Islands and capitalising on our natural assets and opportunities."
Photo by Ryan Denny on Unsplash
