COST OF LIVING CRISIS: Highland cchallenges immediately flagged to incoming PM by local MSP

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Following the election of the Rt Hon Liz Truss MP as Leader of the Conservative Party, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has written to the incoming Prime Minister to address some of the key challenges that the Highlands and Islands face.

Scottish farming group has immediate to-do list for incoming PM

Mr Halcro Johnston said: “I want to congratulate Liz Truss on being elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party, and the next Prime Minister, and to thank Rishi Sunak for his contribution to the leadership race.

“The Highlands and Islands are facing unique challenges from the cost of living crisis and the increases in energy bills and, as we head into the colder winter months, these only risk getting worse.

"Whilst the UK Government's commitment of £37 billion of support is extremely welcome, it's clear more must be done to support households, particularly the most vulnerable, and to support our business sector which is also facing massive increases in energy costs.

“That’s why I have written to the new Prime Minister to highlight the challenges households and businesses in my region face, and calling for a new package of support and measures to mitigate the effects of the current economic situation to be urgently set out.

“There’s a real need now for clarity and a renewed sense of direction, which I hope the new administration will recognise as they take up office.

“I will continue to raise cost-of-living issues with the Prime Minister, UK Ministers, and with the Scottish Government in Edinburgh too which should be playing a significant role but has, so far, been slow to act.

“The power of the UK Treasury, working with the devolved administrations and with local government, will be vital as we face the challenges ahead and support the most vulnerable across our country”.

Full text of the MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston's letter to incoming PM

Dear Prime Minister

I would first like to congratulate you on your appointment, coming as it does after a

lengthy campaign, where you were able to carry forward the trust of your colleagues

in Parliament and the Conservative and Unionist Party membership across the United

Kingdom.

I appreciate that you will be coming into office facing challenges that are far greater

than those of most of your predecessors. Among the achievements of your

predecessor that I hope you will continue is the cast-iron support for a free Ukraine in

the face of Vladimir Putin’s campaign of aggression and expansion.

However the central issue for households and businesses across the Highlands and

Islands this autumn and winter will be the cost of living, particularly the rising cost of

energy. Unlike most parts of the country, the Highlands and Islands suffers not only

from a colder climate, but from its rurality too: we have a high proportion of off-grid

properties, high transport costs for individuals and businesses, combined with some

of the highest rates of fuel poverty in the UK.

I am aware that the Leader of Shetland Islands Council wrote to the Chancellor of the

Exchequer last week to highlight just some of those concerns. I have found a great

deal to agree with in her position – and would urge you and your new cabinet to drive

forward prompt action before irreparable damage is caused to our region.

The effect on business in particular has been understated. I sadly know all too well

from these past two and a half years that businesses in my area, and across Scotland,

have far less resilience than before. Many are still recovering from the effects of the

pandemic and the associated lock-downs and travel restrictions. Without action, many

simply will be unable to continue trading as their costs increase at an unprecedented

rate. In areas like mine – with often short supply chains – businesses are often more

interconnected. The loss of one has significant knock-on effects to others – and to the

jobs and incomes that they support.

I have openly supported the measures, at the cost of £37 billion, previously announced

by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as well as the support targeted at eight million of

our most vulnerable households. However it is clear – and I believe that this is

something you and your team have recognised – that more support will be needed to

protect households and jobs as prices continue to rise for consumers.

I would urge you to take decisive action in your first days in office, to reassure the

British people and our economy that government can help. In that, you will have my

support as well as the support of the party and the country.

With best wishes for your premiership and, again, my congratulations on your

appointment.

Yours sincerely

Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP

Member of the Scottish Parliament

Highlands and Islands Region

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