RHODA GRANT: Wick-Aberdeen flights are vital in fight to retain people in Caithness
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Holyrood Notebook by Rhoda Grant
This month I have been again urging the Scottish Government to continue their commitment to fund the public service obligation (PSO) of the Wick to Aberdeen flight.
This PSO was established when the aviation sector was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Because of this fewer people were flying and the flights had a slow start; however, numbers are increasing, meaning the PSO has been proving to be value for money recently.
Worryingly, the Transport Secretary has not given the PSO wholehearted support, saying that there are significant pressures on the Scottish Government budget and that any decision on future funding of the service beyond March 31, 2024 must be taken in this context.
I have requested a cross-party meeting with the Transport Secretary to make the case for the Wick PSO. This is a lifeline service that connects Caithness to Aberdeen. The county is facing severe depopulation and alternative modes of transport, such as road and rail, are poor. Removing this PSO will mean a loss of this service which will only increase depopulation.
I was sorry to hear that Wick Harbour was damaged by Storm Babet. This is a crucial harbour and although it remains open, urgent works are necessary to keep it open.
I’m encouraged that Beatrice offshore wind farm have committed to play their part and that other organisations have come round the table to meet with Wick Harbour Authority to help find a solution.
I have written to the Transport Secretary, UK government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council to ensure money is provided. Should more damage occur, the ramifications would be massive to Wick and the repair costs will sharply rise.
In the Scottish Parliament, several topics have been debated in the chamber that have real significance for Caithness. These include energy solutions, rural housing and rural depopulation. I continue to represent the interests of Caithness on all issues.
One of the issues discussed this month in the chamber was the governments strategy for heating homes. It appears the government are intent on imposing a heat pump policy that doesn’t work for many rural areas.
In his statement, the minister claimed that their policy will work “from Shetland to the centre of Edinburgh” but this overlooks a fundamental question – the biggest barrier to reducing both fuel consumption and costs in many homes in rural areas is not the type of heating but poorly insulated homes. Instead of seriously addressing this issue, the government are ploughing on and expecting others to pick up the pieces.
Rather than using time in the chamber to debate real problems, causes for depopulation, and tangible solutions, the SNP-Green government chose instead to debate theoretical constitutional questions about migration in an independent Scotland and idealised versions of policy.
The reason that rural areas are facing an existential crisis is that policy, connectivity, and infrastructure decisions are made by policymakers in the central belt who prioritise the needs of cities and suburban areas, often ignoring rural communities that contribute millions to the Scottish economy each year.
- Rhoda Grant is a Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
