Salmond accuses government of abandoning islanders

The UK Government has "abandoned" islanders who this week suffered a major jobs blow, the First Minister said today.

Alex Salmond announced the creation of a task force to deal with the impact of the redundancies on the Western Isles.

About 125 jobs are set to be lost at a missile test firing range operated by private defence technology company QinetiQ.

Mr Salmond told MSPs there was a "substantial lack of consultation" from the Ministry of Defence over the announcement yesterday.

He said: "I will be ensuring that representations are made to the Westminster Government to enable them to fully understand the full impact on fragile communities of announcing major job losses."

The Government has worked "extremely hard" to support job creation on the islands and 40 jobs had been created recently by BiFab at the mothballed Arnish fabrication yard on Lewis.

Mr Salmond said: "Meanwhile the UK Government appears to be abandoning the islands and their community.

"I can announce today that the Jim Mather, the Enterprise Minister, has already agreed to set up a task force."

It will with the local council and enterprise bodies, he said.
"The Scottish Government and these partners, in a united front, will do everything possible to protect the economy and the fragile communities of the Western Isles."

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan, SNP, said the move will have a "devastating impact" on the local community.

Dr Allan told MSPs it was a "body blow" to an "already fragile island economy" and asked what representations the Scottish Government would be making to Westminster on the issue.

He added: "What action will be taken in Scotland to address the needs of people most directly affected by it?"

Mr Salmond hit out at Labour MSPs who heckled Dr Allan as he raised the issue in Parliament.

"One thing I've never done in politics is criticise when a constituency member talks about jobs in their constituency," he said.

"They should be heard with some respect."

The cuts were part of a £50 million package of savings announced yesterday.

The Western Isles will be hardest hit, with the Hebrides range control centre on South Uist being shut by 2014.

Staff will no longer work on St Kilda – instead range radar there will be operated remotely, with staff visiting for maintenance only.

West Camp in Balivanich, Benbecula, will remain open but one accommodation block will close and its domestic staff will be reduced.