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The row over plans to introduce £3 a day car parking charges at Sumburgh Airport reached the Scottish parliament yesterday.Shetland MSP Tavish Scott secured a members’ debate and put the case against parking fees before MSPs, including transport minister Humza Yousaf.Instead of the charge... Read more...
In The Shetland Times this week...• Former SIC leader Gary Robinson takes top job at the health board.• Homes are ready for Syrian refugee families.• Body found in search for missing woman.• NHS Shetland in talks with Holyrood over 1.6 million budget blackhole.• Plus tw... Read more...
Legislation should be passed that stops Shetland being put "in a box" in official Scottish government publications.That is the view of isles MSP Tavish Scott who says the geographical error is not just irksome but would show the government takes "island proofing" seriously.Mr Scott has t... Read more...
The Islands Bill has been hailed as a “real achievement” towards making sure island communities thrive.The Bill, which passed its stage one debate at Holyrood yesterday, requires the Scottish government and other public bodies to consider the impact which their laws and decisions would have ... Read more...
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston was caught up in a security alert at Holyrood.Part of the Scottish parliament building was evacuated after four packages were sent to the offices of Tory MSPs.In a statement, Mr Halcro Johnston said: "Part of the Scottish Parliament buildin... Read more...
What is the point of us having a Liberal Democrat MSP in Holyrood? In fact what is the point in having any Lib Dems in Holyrood? They do nothing to bring the useless SNP government to heel.They said nothing in September 2015 when the government admitted they had taken millions from the education... Read more...
A call has been made for a council meeting with Scottish government ministers to discuss the way forward for education. (more…) Read more...
Highlands and Islands Conservative list MSP Douglas Ross has been named in the Ruth Davidson's shadow cabinet and has vowed to fight against centralisation.Mr Ross will be shadow cabinet secretary for justice. (more…) Read more...
One of Tavish Scott's first official duties after being returned to Holyrood as Shetland MSP is to attend the traditional kirking before the formal swearing in of MSPs tomorrow. (more…) Read more...
Listening to BBC Radio Shetland on Friday evening I heard Danus Skene, the SNP candidate for the forthcoming Scottish election, proclaim he would hold an SNP government to account over matters pertaining to Shetland.He seemed to be under the delusion that being an SNP back-bencher in an SNP gove... Read more...
Thank you for your report in today's Shetland Times on Our Islands Our Future (OIOF)'s sub-glacial progress on devolution.Let's hope the SNP wins the election, otherwise all bets are off. And let's hope there's another independence referendum, otherwise all bets will still be off and this unique... Read more...
Shetland Islands council’s annual funding from the SNP Scottish government has been cut by five per cent (to £82 million), a larger cut than suffered by any other council.That this cut has been imposed despite an increase in Holyrood’s own funding means it cannot be blamed on Westminster bu... Read more...
In a week when local councils are being asked to accept a £350 million cut in their support grant from the Scottish government, the question has to be asked, why?The SNP argued that they wanted more powers for Holyrood – but now that they have them they are not using them. They claim to be an... Read more...
I was delighted with your article on page seven the week before last, "Holyrood candidates continue verbal sparring".Danus Skene's claim that the North Boats are horrendously expensive ignores the fact that removing tolls on estuarial and island bridges (Forth, Tay, Erskine, Skye) is horrendousl... Read more...
Some of the problems facing crofters and farmers will be highlighted in Holyrood today. (more…) Read more...
For some it may be heartening that our transport minister is taking an interest in our "lifeline service".I, however, find it ironic that he chose (?) to travel by plane to Shetland to have discussions about discussions – as is a politician's wont.There was precious little discussion prior... Read more...
Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has been given the backing of his Holyrood counterpart and the local Liberal Democrat group.He has been the subject of fierce criticism since it was revealed he was behind a controversial leak ahead of the General Election.A demonstration was held at the weekend,... Read more...