Halcro Johnston raises population issues in rural and island communities
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston challenged the Scottish Government on its commitment to maintaining population levels in the rural Highlands and Islands in a Scottish Parliament debate on migration.
Pointing to the importance of local services to retain people and attract new residents, Mr Halcro Johnston highlighted slow progress on broadband connectivity, delays over vital improvements to transport connections and the centralisation of local services, asking how this tied with the Scottish Government’s commitments to the sustainability of rural, remote and island communities.
Speaking following the debate, Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP said:
“While some communities are growing in the Highlands and Islands, it is important that future expansion is underlined by decent local services. We need viable, sustainable populations to ensure that our communities survive in the long term.
“We will only attract more people to come to our region is the investment is in place to provide the services they need and the economic opportunities to thrive.
“The Scottish Government has been slow to tackle issues like broadband, or upgrading key road links. This represents countless missed opportunities to give a boost to our region and build its attractiveness as a destination to live, work and visit.”
During the debate, Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP said:
“Migration from around the world, from our neighbouring countries in Europe and from within the United Kingdom will be important for the future of many communities in Scotland. However, simply asserting how welcoming we are is not sufficient; we need a Scottish Government that is willing to take on the challenges that have been outlined today.
“We need real action on the issues that many of our rural communities face, and we need to stand against actions that will make Scotland unattractive or make living in Scotland’s remote communities almost impossible.”