The Cross Party Group on Islands in the Scottish Parliament provides a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to Scotland’s islands and the residents of island communities, and it aims to improve links between the Scottish Parliament and island communities. You can find a list of members and an archive of minutes here. Secretariat for the CPG is provided by Scottish Rural Action and the Scottish Islands Federation.
The February meeting of the CPG focused on the National Islands Plan (NIP) which is currently under review by the Scottish Government. The scene was set by Adele Lidderdale. The topic proved so popular CPG registrations reached 100 people and the discussion time had to be extended by 30 minutes!
We were pleased that the theme of the National Islands Plan continued for the next CPG meeting on 22 May. The scene was set by members of the Young Islanders Network (YIN) who sit on the NIP Delivery Group, followed by Francesco Bertoldi, Islands Team Leader in the Scottish Government.
Future CPGs will be advertised through Scottish Rural Action's social media and website. We are aiming to organise a CPG in September 2024, potentially focused on the intersections between island transport and healthcare access.
Everyone with an interest in Scotland's islands is welcome to attend.