Council / UK Government calls time on islands forum
THE UK Islands Forum has come to an end after only four meetings.
The UK Government said it will still continue to engage with island areas and ensure that every area of the country can “realise their full potential”.
Shetland Islands Council leader Emma Macdonald said a key benefit of the forum was access to government ministers.
The forum was set up in 2022 by the Conservative government in a bid to “level up” communities and inform policy.
Among its members were councils from island areas across the UK, from Shetland and Orkney to the Isle of Wight and Anglesey.
The first meeting was held in Orkney in September 2022, with MP Nadhim Zahawi chairing.
Michael Gove chaired the next three meetings, in the Isle of Wight, Western Isles and Anglesey.
But the forum has come to an end without any meetings taking place in Shetland.
Macdonald said the SIC has received notification that the forum will not return, “but the Scotland office are looking at ways to engage with Scotland’s rural and island councils in a different way”.
She said the hope is to hear more about this after the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
“The UK Islands forum did give us an opportunity to engage directly with UK Government ministers and brought Scottish ministers together in the same room which was also helpful,” Macdonald added.
“We obviously have Convention of the Highlands and Islands which gives us regular contact with Scottish Government and an ability to learn from our counterparts in the rest of the Highlands and Islands, so having something that allows us to do that with a UK Government lens would be beneficial.”
The current government said it has concluded that the forum should not continue in its current form.
The Scotland Office will continue to collaborate across the UK Government with local leaders and the Scottish Government on issues relating to islands communities.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the unique opportunities and challenges faced by island communities, including in Orkney, and it’s important their voices continue to be heard.
“We will continue to engage with these areas and remain committed to our growth mission, ensuring every nation and region – including island communities – can realise their full potential.”
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