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Labour MSP
Allan Wilson supports motion committing Labour to addressing the issue in
their forthcoming Scottish Parliament
Manifesto.
The cost of housing is a very real impediment when
trying to attract key workers, such as schoolteachers, to Island
Communities.
The first debate at
Scottish Labour’s Annual Conference in Oban was the relative cost of living
on Arran and the impact of Island freight charges.
Donald Reid from Beith and a delegate from North Ayrshire and Arran Labour
Party committed Labour to addressing the issue in their forthcoming Scottish
Parliament Manifesto.
Moving the motion, Donald Reid said,
“When Isle of Arran Homes was formed, they set a target of 50 New Build
houses by 2005. Despite hard work and a capital investment of £7.5m, they
have only completed 42. They firmly believe their failure to meet targets is
due to the higher costs from the mainland, exacerbated by high land costs on
Arran.”
“Similarly, revenue expenditure of £3.5m by Isle of Arran Homes on upgrading
previous council housing stock would have cost considerably less on the
mainland for the same levels of improvement” he told conference.
He is supported by local Labour MSP Allan Wilson who said;
“The cost of housing is a very real impediment when trying to attract key
workers, such as schoolteachers, to Island Communities. I was encouraged by
First Minister Jack McConnell’s pledge to increase investment in our shared
equity scheme to give first time buyers a first step on the housing ladder”
Mr Wilson added;
“The Transport Minister has asked officials to review Calmac fares in detail
and I await the outcome of that review with considerable interest”
“The Scottish Executive has increased subsidies to Calmac, introduced free
ferry travel for elderly Island residents and will shortly approve
concessionary fares for young people on buses and ferries”
“Freight costs remain a challenge however and I will be pressing the
Transport Minister and party colleagues for assistance” said Mr Wilson.
Katy Clark MP said;
“I do believe Arran has a special case given the high costs of living on the
Island. I therefore fully support the work done by Ayrshire and Arran
Constituency Labour Party and Allan Wilson MSP in fighting the Island’s
corner”
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