Governments must work together on structure funds for Orkney – MSP

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has raised concerns with Scottish ministers about the potential loss of structural funds from the Northern Isles.

Mr McArthur urged Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to work with UK counterparts to ensure that new guidelines do not exclude Orkney from accessing funding support in the future.

He said:  “EU structural funds have been a vital source of support for infrastructure and business development across the Isles.  Orkney has made particularly good use of these resources over the years.

“That is why it is a real concern that Orkney and Shetland may be denied access to structural funds in the future.

“I welcome the Deputy First Minister’s acknowledgement of the seriousness of this threat and willingness to discuss the matter with her UK counterparts.

“Given our distance from markets, the cost of development and sparsity of population, Orkney cannot afford to be kept out of structural funding at this point.  I hope more sensible and equitable arrangements can be put in place soon.”