A very interesting article with plenty of links highlighting the current challenges

A (renewed) policy focus on island communities?

Rural Services Network: Jessica Sellick investigates ‘While islands are areas of land surrounded by water, many are little more than barren rock with few plants on them and others are amongst the most crowded places on Earth. The largest British island is Great Britain which is the ninth-largest and third most populated island in the world. There are also some 32 islands in England (with the Isle of Wight being the largest); more than 790 islands in Scotland (with Lewis and Harris the largest in the British Isles after the British and Irish mainlands); 11 islands in Wales (with Anglesey the biggest); and 7 islands in Northern Ireland. What are the needs and aspirations of island communities and how can we ensure these are recognised by policy and decision makers?

On 12 July 2017 the first ever meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK islands was held. Chaired by Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely, the group comprises officers from Ynys Mon, Na h-Eileanan an Iar and Orkney & Shetland; with other members drawn from constituencies including Worthing, Hyndburn, Hayling Island, Glasgow, Argyll & Bute, St Ives (includes the Isles of Scilly) and Berwick-upon-Tweed (including Lindisfame).

Mr Seely explained the purpose of the APPG is “…to promote the needs of island communities within Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and in particular to support the economic and social wellbeing of island residents. Top of the agenda was a discussion on finding ways of making the case, as islands, for the provision of high-quality, accessible public services and affordable transport provision to and from these islands, plus the right infrastructure investment.

This group will pool islands’ political resources to lobby government for a better deal for our communities. It means we have a much bigger voice at Westminster and it is part of my plan to go into battle for the Island to make sure government listens and does not overlook us.”

On 20 July 2017 a House of Lords debate took place on the transport needs of remote island communities. This briefing, prepared in advance of the debate, provides an overview of transport policies and schemes in England (particularly the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Holy Island/Lindisfame, Lundy and the Farne Islands) and other areas of the UK. For me, the debate itself provided three new insights.’

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