The new set up is called the ‘Islands Forum’ with the first session in Orkney chaired by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up in the UK Government.
UK Government Launches Islands Forum
Levelling-Up Bids from Councils in Orkney & Shetland “shot down by Whitehall”
“How this scheme was devised speaks volumes about how the Tories at Westminster think about Orkney – far away and of no consequence. ” Robert Leslie
UK & Scottish Governments Announce Deal on Freeports
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has described the deal as a ‘tax dodgers’ charter.’
The Great Enabler
Westminster appears to be entirely comfortable with a tariff-free deal with a country whose standards – chemicals harmful to bees and aquatic ecosystems, the use of paraquat, no review period whatsoever for pesticides – fall way short of our own.
Brexit Concerns Raised Over Scotland’s Successful Seed Potato Sector
“Scotland currently exports 13.5% of our marketed tonnage of seed potatoes to the EU, generating valuable income for our rural economy.”
Seizing Opportunities: The UK Fisheries Bill
Scotland will have no power over fishing quotas – that will be reserved for the UK Government to decide.
A Drop of 400 Employed in Scotland’s Farming in 2018
86% of Scotland’s farm land is designated as a ‘Less Favoured Area’.
