Shetland’s a no-show on benefits agency’s logo
ISLANDERS on Shetland have criticised ministers for leaving the archipelago off its new benefits agency logo – after the Scottish Government passed laws to ensure all maps properly represent the islands.
Social Security Scotland spent £73,000 of taxpayers’ money on a design of three interlocking quadrilaterals which vaguely resembles the shape of mainland Scotland. However, it contains nothing to represent Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.
That has infuriated Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, who led the campaign to have the islands accurately represented in Scottish maps. He said it was unacceptable to spend so much money on a logo which ‘simply ignores the islands’.
He added: ‘The islands cannot be overlooked, particularly on the important issue of social security, where islanders are just as important as anyone else across Scotland.’
The Social Security Scotland name and logo were chosen after a seven-month process, involving 15 focus groups, with meetings held across Scotland, including in Shetland. The focus groups helped the agency decide on its strapline: ‘Dignity, fairness and respect’. It also features the agency’s name in Gaelic – Tèarainteachd Shòisealta Alba.
Social Security Scotland insisted the shape of the logo should not be taken as a slight to islanders. It said: ‘Our logo is an abstract representation of Scotland. It is not a map.’