SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has described the new Crofting Bill as an ‘important step forward’ in reforming crofting law. He welcomed the government’s commitment that further legislation will be forthcoming in the next Parliament.

Yesterday, MSPs passed the Bill at Stage 1, with proposed amendments to be considered by the Rural Affairs Committee at the start of next month.

The bill’s measures include the expansion of Crofting Commission powers, streamlining the administration of crofting duties, amendments to the Crofting Register, and enabling more use of digital communications between crofters and the Commission. It also introduces provisions for the environmental use of crofts and common grazings, and sets out the definitions of both a ‘Crofting Community’ and an ‘owner-occupier’. It also merges the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland.

Commenting yesterday, Alasdair Allan MSP said:

“I was pleased to see this Bill pass Stage 1 yesterday. This will allow for further consideration at Stage 2 by the committee of which I am a member. I have several amendment I am seeking to lodge to further strengthen this bill, and it has been very helpful indeed to engage with both constituents and with the Scottish Crofting Federation on these. It goes without saying that crofting is of fundamental importance to our islands’ culture, local economy and environment.

“While it is outwith the scope of this bill, we must see future legislation tackle the issues created by the marketisation of crofts in recent years. As the Minister said in November last year, the present bill “prepares the ground for what comes next”, helping increase residency levels and active croft use, to allow consideration of what is needed thereafter to increase the number of new entrants into crofting and sustain support for existing crofters. I would like to thank the Minister for his robust engagement on this bill, both with me directly and with the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee as a whole to date.”

Information about the Bill as introduced, and the next steps, can be found here.

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed confirmation today from the Scottish Government Islands Team that remaining monies in the £4m Islands Business Resilience Fund will be made available to other islands on the West Coast. This follows funding being awarded to businesses in Uist, Arran and Colonsay.

Businesses in other islands which have been affected by repeated ferry disruption in recent months, including Barra and Vatersay in the Western Isles, will now be able to apply for the remaining available funding.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“I am pleased to see the rest of this money being made available to other island businesses which need some support to recover from the impact of recent ferry cancellations. While it was right that the fund first focussed on the areas which have been worst affected by cancellations this year, businesses in other parts of the network have also experienced significant challenges, given the reduced footfall as a result of ferry disruption.

“While Scottish Government support must be, and is, focussed on investing in improved ferries infrastructure and the completion of numerous new major and small vessels in the next few years, it is important that island businesses receive the support they need meantime where there has been significant disruption to services due to technical issues on existing vessels. I would urge any businesses in the hospitality and perishable goods sectors, and who therefore may be eligible for support, to apply as soon as possible via contacting HIE.”

SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has expressed his concern at the ‘significant challenges’ facing islanders in accessing dental care, following the news this week that both full-time dentists in Uist are set to leave in the new year.

Residents and local representatives are worried about the future of dental care in Uist, with uncertainty around the timescales which will be involved in recruiting new permanent dentists, as well as the sizeable costs to the health service of locums meantime, and the level of provision available to local people.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:

“I am very concerned indeed at the declining situation in terms of my constituents’ access to dental care across our islands, and the situation is set to worsen in Uist with the recent news. I met with the health board this morning following my urgent request to discuss this issue.

“I also wrote to the Scottish Government earlier this week to highlight again the significant challenges many of my constituents face in getting a dentist appointment, and the near impossibility of registering with an NHS dentist. I am aware that UK Government policy decisions around employer national insurance increases and stricter visa rules are having a directly negative impact on the provision of dental services across Scotland, but this issue is felt more acutely in the Highlands and Islands. I’m aware that the Scottish Government has allocated additional funding, in the form of the Scottish Dental Access Initiative Allowances, to help increase the number of dentists in specific areas.

“We have made strong progress in reducing dental issues amongst children across the islands through the Childsmile programme over the last two decades, but it’s vital that children and adults alike are able to access preventative and routine dental care, not just emergency appointments, no matter where they live in the Western Isles.”