MSP calls for co-operation after ‘desperate’ human rights report

The report into human rights in the Highlands and Islands made for “desperate reading,” a list representative said.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant made the claim during First Minister’s Questions yesterday (Thursday), calling for co-operation on her Right to Food Bill.

A report published earlier this week by the Scottish Human Rights Commission, found that people in the region felt “abandoned and forgotten,” by central governments.

Health, housing and hunger were the top priorities for improvements, the study said.

Ms Grant, who has been campaigning for a universal right to food in Scotland, urged First Minister John Swinney to work with her to alleviate starvation.

However, she said his response “missed the point” of the report.

The first minister agreed to help Ms Grant but listed existing measures which he claimed target the Scottish Human Rights findings and said those measures will remain the focus of the government.

“For the First Minister to minimise the report like this is insulting to the Scottish Human Rights Commission, their hard work, and is offensive to communities who engaged proactively in this report,” Ms Grant said.

“I will continue my work on my Private Members’ Bill on the Right to Food so that no one in Scotland – including in the Highlands and Islands – will have to choose between heating and eating ever again.”

In this week’s Shetland Times

In today’s (Friday, 29th November) edition of The Shetland Times:

Hospital needs ‘immediate’ work, health board says

Work is needed to be done to the Gilbert Bain Hospital “immediately,” after survey works highlighted the deteriorating condition the ageing building is in.

NHS Shetland made the claim today (Wednesday), before the final reports are collated on its state.

The update from the health board comes after years of calls to improve the facility or replace it altogether.

In a statement, the health board said the problems with the old building were well documented, and pressures would only mount as the colder temperatures set in.

“It has become evident that some immediate work is needed, particularly as we approach the colder months, to preserve the building and support its continued use for at least the next 10-15 years,” it said said.

Initial feedback from the survey work concluded the building was “not unsafe structurally and there is no evidence to suggest concern about the integrity of the hospital”.

NHS Shetland had made its staff aware of the condition of the building, and its statement, before releasing it to the media.

To read more about this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Shetland Times.

Shetland MSP ‘disappointed’ over reinstatement of airport parking charges 

Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has condemned the decision to reinstate car parking charges at Sumburgh Airport.

HIAL confirmed in a statement it plans to reintroduce the car parking charges – with the date still to be determined.

“We have been experiencing technical issues with the car parking system at Sumburgh which has been affected by harsh weather.

“This has resulted in the parking charge being temporarily waived. We are currently working on a solution that will address the issues and once resolved we intend to reinstate the parking charge. We will provide advance notice prior to charges being reintroduced.”

These charges were first introduced in 2018, with motorists paying £3 per day to use the car park.

Ms Wishart said it was “very disappointing” these charges are set to make a comeback.

“When this tax on island living was first introduced it was done so without any consultation with anyone in the community and with no assessment of the impact on those travelling,” she said.

“Parking charges at Sumburgh are nothing but an additional tax imposed on people who already face increased costs for simply living on an island.

“It is not just holiday makers that are affected. People travel from Sumburgh every day for ordinary things like work, health appointments or family events. Businesses also have to swallow these costs too when asking staff to travel for work.”

Islanders are ‘forgotten and abandoned,’ report finds

People in the Highlands and Islands feel “abandoned and forgotten,” a new report into human rights in the area revealed.

Health, housing and hunger were the top priorities of where improvements could be made in the region.

The research was conducted by the Scottish Human Rights Commission, after visiting 20 communities and interviewing 146 people – including a short spell in the isles last year.

The author and project lead for the study, Dr Luis F Yanes said economic, social and cultural rights were an essential part of living a “dignified life,” however, people felt these had been infringed.

“Many people in the Highlands and Islands feel unheard, disenfranchised, abandoned, and forgotten, with their human rights concerns discarded or minimised,” Dr Yanes said.

It was the aim of the report to “enhance the voices” to demonstrate the urgent need to realise the human rights of everyone in the region.

To read more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s issue of The Shetland Times.

Christmas tree brings ‘sense of magic’ ahead of town parade

The arrival of Lerwick’s Christmas tree has been praised for bringing a  “sense of magic” to the town centre.

High Court date set for man charged with woman’s murder in Sandness 

The man charged with the murder of a 24-year-old woman in Sandness is scheduled to appear at the High Court in Glasgow next week.

Tingwall Airport to close in May 2025

Tingwall Airport is scheduled to close for a month next May for resurfacing, councillors heard in a committee meeting Monday.

The move will mean inter-island flights will be directed through Sumburgh Airport.

Maintenance work at the airstrip was originally planned to finish at the end of March this year. During a meeting of the environment and transport  committee on Monday morning, however, councillors heard that project will now be completed by August 2026.

Tingwall Airport will only close for a month.

Brett backs energy transition away from oil and gas exploration

A former general election candidate for the SNP has spoken out against future oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.

Medical evacuation from Skerries

The coastguard helicopter carried out a medical evacuation from Skerries this morning (Sunday).

Shetland Coastguard was contacted by the NHS at around 9.40am to carry out the evacuation of an ill patient to Lerwick.

The incident was concluded at around 11.30am after the patient was transferred to the Gilbert Bain Hospital.