Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the news that a Rural Connectivity Commission will be set up after independence to consider how to improve issues such as mobile phone and broadband coverage, postal services and transport links for rural communities.

The Commission’s paper sets out key themes that will improve rural connectivity, including improved mobile telecoms and broadband, fairer parcel and delivery charges (ownership of the Royal Mail and a commitment to the USO), more reasonable fuel prices and energy bills, better transport links (A9 upgrade and £5bn funding for rail), coastal communities receiving 100% of the net income from the Crown Estate seabed leasing revenues and a commitment to the right policies to achieve the transformational potential of rural renewables.

Commenting on this Mr Thompson said: “I welcome the news that the Scottish Government is taking the needs of rural and island communities seriously. The Rural Connectivity Commission will ensure that key improvements in rural areas are made”.

Dave went further: “I am particularly pleased by the news that the Rural Connectivity Commission will facilitate island and coastal communities receiving 100% of leasing revenues from activities in their adjacent waters, including those from renewables deployment. This will put to an end to Crown Estate Commissioners taking this money, which will allow islanders to take economic advantage of what they own”.

He went on: “It is encouraging that the paper commits itself to the USO that is currently under threat as a result of the Royal Mail privatisation by the UK Government and that with independence we will be able to take the service back into public ownership, ensuring a fair Scotland wide service is maintained”.

He concluded: “The Rural Connectivity Commission will enable rural areas to achieve their full potential and is yet another great reason to vote for independence in September”.

Notes:

The Commission’s work will be announced as the Scottish Cabinet visits Wick on Monday 14 July, in a constitutional paper called “Connecting Rural Scotland”, which will outline how an expert body will be set up to ensure rural communities get a better from independence.

Scottish Government Press Release on Scotland’s Rural Connections:

http://scottishgovernment.presscentre.com/news/improving-scotland-s-rural-connections-eb2.aspx