Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus B MacNeil has today hosted a meeting with Icelandic Justice Minister, Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Faroese MP Kristina Hàfoss and a group of cross-party MPs from across the UK to discuss the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Iceland and the Faroe Islands are successfully managing to control the spread of Covid-19 by continuing to Test, Trace, Isolate throughout the pandemic.

Commenting after the meeting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“I am grateful to political friends in Iceland and the Faroe Islands for taking time to share their experiences in a very informative meeting on how Iceland and the Faroe Islands are leading in the testing of their population and reducing active Coronavirus cases, with the Faroe Islands having zero active cases and Iceland having just 12. The Faroe Islands have tested 16% of the population and this will continue despite having zero active cases.

“Given their continuous policy of test, trace and isolate throughout the pandemic they have managed to track the virus in its steps, in the case of Iceland all infections were traced. What these countries show is that they have used lockdown wisely by testing and tracking wherever necessary.

“Both countries maintain a strict border policy and arrivals have to quarantine for 14 days, unlike the UK who will not start this policy until June, almost 3 months after lockdown.

“Lifting lockdown was discussed and it was noted that lifting restrictions could be possible sooner in some parts of each nation as well as each nation going at a different pace. Also, Governments should have a plan in place for dealing with further hotspots/outbreaks and whether real time small lockdowns might be needed.

“The Faroes and Iceland have started to reduce their restrictions, Iceland never locked down fully and the Faroe Islands have just about lifted internal restrictions bar mass gatherings. From today, the Faroese social distance has reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre while in Iceland facilities such as public swimming pools will again reopen this week.”

ENDS

• 

The UK Treasury has rightly today announced the extension of the furlough scheme until the end of September; however, the Chancellor should also remove all the complications which he is introducing to the scheme, says Isles MP Angus MacNeil.

Mr MacNeil has warned that the ultimate ending of the furlough scheme must depend on health needs in each devolved nation and not be guided by the policies chosen in only one nation. 

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“Last night in the virtual Commons I asked for the Treasury support which underpins health needs to be maintained and to follow the needs of all the health policies of each devolved nation. Therefore, the furlough scheme has rightly been extended but it cannot end when the needs of one nation are such that it is not needed. 

“Certainly, Treasury support should not be kicked away when the health policy of England dictates it is no longer required in England, this is particularly important after the Prime Ministers confusing divergence from the health policies being followed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  
 “The Chancellor should make clear that any health decision being made in any devolved nation can be made on health grounds alone without his financial penalties. 

“We have to make sure the welfare of everyone is looked after, when their government is taking steps for public health.

“Finally, as regards to health, we in Scotland have tasted what health independence is like we just need to taste what independence is like in every other policy area.”

ENDS

Angus MacNeil MP has again redoubled his call to change the policy to test, track and trace rather than go with lockdown alone.

Commenting Angus MacNeil said:

“We should be testing, tracing and isolating in the islands now as our confirmed Covid-19 numbers are so low and we can keep them low with test, trace and isolate. It is argued that Test Trace Isolate can’t work in other places because the reinfection rate is so high. Fortunately in the Hebrides we still have the ideal situation to stay ahead of the virus by testing and tracing.

“The policy of lockdown alone without knowing what Covid-19 is doing in our communities, is not a sustainable policy. We have already seen in Skye what lockdown alone, without testing, has resulted in. A sad and shocking 54 case outbreak and this is only what has been found at a care home, who knows what the wider numbers will be.

“We surely now have to move to a position where we are chasing the virus and not waiting for the virus to come to us. Testing, tracing and isolating is the alternative, it will determine whether we have coronavirus around us and what we need to do to make sure we get rid of it. Or it will tell us if we can lift lockdown.  At the moment we are blind and we do not want to wait until we have an outbreak as we have sadly seen in Skye, we do need to change the policy now. I have written to the Health Secretary and await a response. 

“We have outstanding offers from the Faroese government and a private company to add to our testing capabilities. I have been trying to find out from the NHS Western Isles whether they are using the current testing capacity to its maximum and if not then why not. They are currently telling me they are “awaiting guidance” with regards to a testing policy change.
 

“Everything else is in place, we just need a pen lifted to change the policy so that the Health Board will bring about a change to testing in the islands so that we can all have some confidence as to what is going on with coronavirus.

“Sitting tight for coronavirus is a risky and failing policy, we can’t continue with this any longer.”

ENDS

Isles MP reminds crofters to submit Single Application Form (SAF)

Isles MP Angus B MacNeil is reminding crofters to submit their Single Application form (SAF) as the closing date for submission is fast approaching.

The closing date for submission of Single Application Form (SAF) is Friday 15^th May. 

The Single Application Form is the form you need to fill in if you want to claim payments under the following schemes:

• Basic Payment Scheme (including Greening and Young Farmer payments)
• Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (Mainland and Islands)
• Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme
• Less Favoured Area Support Scheme
• Agri-Environment Climate Scheme – annual recurrent options
• Forestry Grant Scheme – annual maintenance and management grants
• Beef Efficiency Scheme
• Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities annual recurrent options

https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/apply-for-funding/single-application-form/

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“This year especially we must try and get as much money into the islands as we can, crofters need to be claiming for their land.  I know how busy this time of year is for many crofters with lambing etc and this year has its own additional pressures given the ongoing situation with Covid-19.

“The date for submitting the SAF application is less than 2 weeks away, Friday 15^th May, and I want to remind crofters if they haven’t already done so to submit their application.

“The easiest way to complete the Single Application Form is online. To do this, you must be registered with Rural Payments and Services. How to register

“Area Offices are currently operating an answer machine service. If you require assistance, you are asked to leave your name, contact number and brief details of your query and you will be contacted as soon as possible.  I have included below the details for the Benbecula and Stornoway Office”:

Benbecula – Tel: 0300 244 9600 – SGRPID.benbecula@gov.scot

Stornoway – Tel: 0300 2448501 – SGRPID.stornoway@gov.scot

ENDS

The high levels of volunteering by the people of Na h-Eileanan an Iar is making a massive difference as the region copes with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, says Isles MP Angus MacNeil.

In 2017 figures showed that 35% of islanders were volunteering formally through an organisation or group, compared to 28% across Scotland. This figure is now expected to be much higher as communities come together during the pandemic.

Mr MacNeil commended the community for all they are doing and made mention of local business Sandwick Bay Candles in Lewis, as just one of many examples, who organised an online raffle for Bethesda Hospice in Stornoway raising more than £50,000.

He said: “The people of the islands have always gone out of their way to help others within their own communities and beyond. This cannot have been highlighted any clearer than in the current pandemic.

“Every village and community has its own voluntary support systems up and running and so many people are coming forward to offer help where needed. We should be proud of our island communities and we should all continue what we are doing and following the ongoing guidelines on social distancing.”

ENDS

Angus MacNeil MP has long advocated the need for widespread testing in the islands which would provide a clearer understanding on the spread of Covid-19.  Mr MacNeil has already received the backing of Professor Devi Sridhar, Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh.

Mr MacNeil is calling for testing, tracing and isolating to start in the islands now which could allow the islands to come out of lockdown internally whilst still keeping restrictions on those coming into the area.

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“Without greater knowledge about the spread of this virus, we will have to remain in lockdown. 

“The islands now have the capability to do the test locally and we have also received the offer of further support from our neighbours in the Faroe Islands, who have offered to do Covid19 testing for us if need be and if requested.

“The absolute priority must be the health and well-being of our population and by starting to test, trace and isolate in the islands now we could establish how this virus is spreading. This would allow us to monitor the virus closely and lead to removing the islands from lockdown safely.

“Businesses are suffering and if islanders were able to return to some kind of normality, this would be a great boost to our economy.

“Grandparents are desperate to see their grandchildren; children want to play with their pals and friends want to be reunited.

“The number of positive cases of Covid-19 in our islands appears to be low and whilst we must not become complacent, we have an opportunity here to internally lift the lockdown – but without testing, tracing and isolating we cannot move forward.”

ENDS

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil today met virtually with Minister Douglas Ross at the Scotland Office along with other cross-party colleagues to discuss a range of issues.

Mr MacNeil raised the point that one of the cheapest things which could now be done is the enabling by the Home Office of non-EEA fishermen to come and work in the west coast of Scotland. Mr MacNeil pointed out that this could be one of the few things the government could do quickly, easily and cheaply.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“It wouldn’t cost a penny, in fact, it would raise tax revenues as well as helping the Scottish fishing industry get going as quickly as possible.

“I hope the Home office drop their stubborn nonsense which they have maintained over the last few years.  Their arrogance cannot continue and surely this time we will see that the Scottish Office can manage to make them listen to some sense and enable non-EEA fishermen to work in the west coast of Scotland, helping the much needed recovery in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas. All they need to do is lift a pen and the problem is sorted.”

ENDS

Angus MacNeil MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar has welcomed the offer from the Faroe Islands, who have offered to do Covid19 testing for us if need be and if that was requested.

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“It has been obvious for a while that testing has been required, testing at the point of admission to hospital is not what successful countries have been doing in stopping the spread of this virus.

“We already have a professor of Global Public Health at Edinburgh University backing Hebridean testing.  We now have this offer from the Faroe Islands to do the testing and I think it is up to NHS Western Isles now to take a step forward and not just take orders from Edinburgh but to decide what we need in the islands and what is good for us. 

“It was interesting to hear the First Minister last night say that they decided to close down and stop testing when the infection rate was at 3 times, that wasn’t the case in the islands and it probably isn’t the case in the islands even now, so therefore the case for testing is unanswerable and it should get underway.

“The fact that the Faroese are offering some of their capacity to help us should be grabbed with both hands by the Scottish Government and NHS Western Isles should be lobbying the Scottish Government to make sure that happens.”

ENDS

Angus MacNeil MP has expressed delight that Professor Devi Sridhar, Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh, is backing the idea for an Isles test plan pilot.

Mr MacNeil who has been pushing the case for greater testing in the islands for over a month, to give a better picture of the spread of Covid-19 in the islands, has welcomed the comments by Prof Devi Sridhar.

Backing the idea of a Hebridean test and trace pilot the well respected expert during this pandemic, Professor Devi Sridhar, said:

“It’s clearly incredibly important to increase testing as we need to move from a situation of quarantining everyone, to quarantining just those who are carrying, or who have been exposed to the virus.

“Testing is essential as well to identifying carriers of the virus- and we should be testing everyone who is symptomatic, and even going further to testing large numbers of health workers and front-line essential workers to identify asymptomatic carriers of the virus.”

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“Clearly the policy has to change when experts are telling us what they are telling us. We know full well if we leave lockdown and don’t know where the virus is that the virus will get the chance to escape and spread around, causing a further lockdown.

“Testing helps us leave lockdown in an informed way. In a way which minimises economic damage. Our first responsibility is to health but we can’t be ignoring the economy while safeguarding health when it is possible to do both at the same time.

“As Prof Sridhar is advocating, the testing to identify the carriers is a vital thing that must happen.”

ENDS

Isles MP, Angus MacNeil has written to both the First Minister and the Health Secretary to suggest piloting a World Health Organisation policy approach, like Iceland and the Faroe Islands, of widespread informed testing, in the Hebrides. This could mean testing of 5-10% of the population being tested as these other places have done.

Mr MacNeil has also contacted NHS Western Isles about the policy to enquire about assisting in contact tracing and Police Scotland, who showed willingness to assist the health authorities here, if such a policy change were piloted on the islands. 

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“On 18th March I said that, ‘The Government should be testing more, if the UK was testing to the level of Iceland or the Faroe Islands, we would have a better picture of what is going on and we would probably be more aware of where the clusters of Coronavirus are now.  Unfortunately, the UK is doing a lot of this blindfolded, against World Health Organisation advice and Scotland is caught in that web too.’ Over a month later we are in much the same situation.

“My opinion on testing remains the same, we need to test more. It is quite amazing, if not shocking, that we have people in the islands who tested positive for Covid-19 yet their spouses and other members of their household have not been tested. 

“Thankfully in the islands we have few Covid-19 cases, although it is hard to be certain that we have such few cases given the lack of testing. 

“Surely, it is time to drop the fatal two-step which Scotland has been engaged in with Whitehall, and start our own policy, trialled here in the islands, for increased testing. We have got spare testing capacity in Scotland, 40% of the testing capacity is unused, therefore it would seem wise that while island numbers are low we should keep them low by the contact tracing, testing and tracking, so well employed in some other countries.

“I hope the First Minister and the Health Secretary will respond to this favourably. Time is always of the essence, testing capacity in the islands should be increasing although it is already 2 weeks delayed. 

“We could then change policy and not wait for the virus to turn up but we seek out the virus as in other countries. Such a policy change could start now in the islands. Then we might be able to move on and do what the Faroese did yesterday (Monday 20th April) which was to remove their internal lockdown while still keeping the islands externally locked down.

“For now, we remain in lockdown and it is difficult to change that, until we have increased testing, to give us a better picture of Covid-19 in the Hebrides.”

ENDS