A BACKLASH has been sparked over Michael Gove's decision to host the first of the UK Government’s Islands Forum meetings on Orkney.
The meeting has been set up by Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove and looks to “bring communities together and give our islands a stronger voice”.
Gove will chair the meeting in September, with representatives from island communities from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales invited.
Devolved administrations will also be given a role in the forum, with ministers from Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast invited.
However, the meeting has not been welcomed by Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil.
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MacNeil has said “It’s cash that is required not forums” and that levelling up investment pales in comparison to what was received from the EU.
He commented: “Mr Gove is introducing an Islands Forum at a time when his Levelling Up Fund is delivering less than a third per year of what the European Rural Development Fund used to deliver.
"Before forums, we need the cash. Levelling Up is clearly not doing what it should be doing, therefore, restore the money so any talking committee can have power.”
Gove had previously prompted the ire of Scottish island communities when back in March his department removed Shetland from its map in its digital advert series.
This came after the Scottish Government’s 2018 ban on public bodies putting Shetland in a box on maps and moving it closer to the mainland, which reportedly annoyed locals.
However, Gove's department had removed Shetland from their ad completely.
Commenting at the time of the gaffe, Emma Roddick, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands region said: "They have completely ignored the Highlands and Islands in their ‘Levelling Up’ scheme, which seems to be more about directing money into Tory marginals.”
Commenting on the September meeting, Gove said: “Island communities contribute a huge amount to the UK and often face common challenges.
“Our new Islands Forum will bring communities together and give our islands a stronger voice.
“Whether it is the requirement for better transport connectivity or opportunities for economic development, I want to hear directly from island communities across the UK what they need to unlock their full potential.
“The UK Government’s goal is to unite and level up our whole United Kingdom, from Shetland to the Scillies.
“This new forum will make sure that our islands are placed right at the heart of our levelling up mission.”
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