Brexit threat to Argyll and Isles
Argyll and Bute is one of the areas most vulnerable to any consequences of Brexit, a study has found.
Published by the Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services, the Local Level Brexit Vulnerabilities report revealed that 49 per cent of the communities in Argyll and Bute would be at risk, equating to 41,000 people.
This was the third highest percentage in the list, behind Na h-Eileanan Siar on 53 per cent, and Shetland on 50 per cent.
The report also stated that 34 per cent of communities in the Orkney Islands are within the 20 most vulnerable communities in Scotland.
The study stated: ‘This equates to over 75,000 people in total. This reflects the high concentration of the workforce in Brexit vulnerable sectors such as fishing and agriculture; relatively high European funding receipts and rurality, though there is variation within these areas.’
While these areas top of the list for the highest per cent of communities at risk, Glasgow, which came in at 30 per cent, has the highest number of people at risk with 186,000.
The area with the second highest number of people at risk is Highland, with 103,000, with
43 per cent of communities vulnerable.
Western Isles
MP, Angus Brendan MacNeil is very concerned at figures contained in the Local Level Brexit Vulnerabilities report.
Mr MacNeil, who has continually opposed Brexit, said: ‘It is very concerning to see Na h-Eileanan an Iar tops the list of areas in Scotland that are vulnerable to the damage that Brexit will bring.
‘We must remember there is no good Brexit. There is no better deal than the current deal of free trade and unhindered access to the market of 500 million in the trade block that is the European Union.
‘Every week we see lorries going to France and Spain with produce from the sea. Together with crofting this leaves us vulnerable to Brexit and the lack of diversification of the economy, compared to other areas, adds to that.
‘I will be asking the Westminster government for money directly to Na h-Eileanan an Iar – Brexit is their project, we cannot be taking the damage without compensation from them to offset the chaos their political project, harking back to the 19th century, is and will cause.’
Mr MacNeil’s comments were echoed by Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara, who said: ‘In many ways this report confirms what I have long feared – any form of Brexit would be deeply damaging for Scotland as a whole but any Brexit could be absolutely catastrophic for us here in Argyll and Bute.
‘We already have a fragile rural economy which relies heavily on free access to European markets and on being able to attract European nationals to come and live, work, stay and raise a family here. Not only is that being taken away from us with Brexit but if Boris Johnson has his way, our farmers and shellfish producers will be put at a massive competitive disadvantage to our near neighbours in Northern Ireland.
‘We are heading into a critically important week but the people of Argyll and Bute can rest assured I will never vote for any deal which I believe will destroy the livelihoods of my constituents.’
‘Brexit could be catastrophic to Argyll and Bute’