Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil is calling on the UK Government to get on with the day job and ensure that much needed non-European Economic Area (EEA) workers are granted the necessary visas to work on island fishing boats.

Mr MacNeil has continued to raise at Westminster the need for urgent action to address crew shortages by allowing non-EEA workers to fill the labour gaps which have left local boats tied up at the pier.

Mr MacNeil said:

“In the middle of the Tory mess on Brexit, aided and abetted by the Labour Party who believe in exactly the same, rather than getting on with the day job we are having to watch resignations and the UK crumbling.

“Our fishing industry is crying out for help, yet the UK Government continues to refuse non-EEA crew the necessary paperwork to enable them to come to Scotland to work on our fishing boats.  Instead, we are having to watch Westminster’s dramatic soap operas.

“The UK Government says this is an argument between migration figures and the economy however seasonal fishing workers under 12 months are not included in their figures.

“The UK must end its bureaucratic one size fits all approach and needs to get out of the way to let Scotland’s islands improve our economy. If ever there was the case to prove that, it is the economic success of Ireland over recent years.  Sadly, we in Scotland have to watch that from the slow lane.”

ENDS