Also in the news / Calls for salmon support, climate conversation, junior jarl sought, police open day and more …
SCOTTISH salmon chief Tavish Scott has written to the two Conservative leadership candidates to highlight how government action is needed to support growth in the industry.
In his letter to prime minister hopefuls Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, Scott also highlighted labour shortages in salmon processing.
Scottish salmon exports recovered to near-record figures in 2021, increasing to £614 million, but the figure for the first half of 2022 was down on the previous year.
In his letter, Scott said the industry has “two specific asks”.
“Labour shortages in our processing businesses are acute,” he wrote.
“We would urge you to embrace a more enlightened approach to the movement of labour into the UK so as to assist business.
“Steps could include a change to key worker definitions, changes to the salary cap level and a broader public signal that the UK is open to people and thus to business.
“No change to the current UK Government approach and the attitude in particular of the Home Office is a clear threat to business competitiveness against our main international competitors. We would urge a more pragmatic and business friendly approach.”
SHETLAND Islands Council has launched a ‘follow-up’ survey on the community’s response to climate change following a series of workshops held earlier this year.
A 40-minute video summarising the discussions of those community climate conversations has been published on YouTube.
Chair of the council’s environment and transport committee Moraig Lyall said: “The climate conversation workshops generated some really interesting and unexpected insights into the steps local people and businesses are already taking to combat climate change, which is one of the biggest challenges facing us all today.
“We are really keen to hear from as many people as possible, so we’re providing another opportunity for folk to make their contribution to the conversation, particularly those who may not have had the opportunity to participate in the workshops.”
The follow up survey is available here.
APPLICATIONS are now being accepted from people who wish to be the 2023 Junior Up Helly Aa jarl.
Following a change in approach earlier this year, applications are open to all young people in secondary two at school in Lerwick who wish to be considered.
Previously it was only boys who were considered. The decision mirrored a landmark change in the long-standing custom at the Lerwick’s senior Up Helly Aa.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on 2 September, and forms can be requested by emailing juhasecretary@btinternet.com
AN OPEN day is being held at Lerwick Police Station later this month.
The family-friendly event will take place between 12.30pm and 4pm on Saturday 27 August.
The police said there will be “fun activities, demonstrations and stalls” for those who are interested in finding out about policing in Shetland.
There will also be an opportunity to see how the local custody and court systems operate.
The police said food and beverages will be on offer, including a BBQ and bouncy castle – depending on the weather.
FREE period products are now available locally for anyone who needs them.
Shetland Islands Council and UHI Shetland have been providing them to pupils, students and the community through a limited number of venues for the past years.
The service is now being extended to the wider community, in that free period products can be collected from health centres, leisure centres and other community venues.
A recent consultation found that most people wanted to receive their products by post, so in a few months’ time the council will be looking to offer an online order service.
In the meantime, packs of enough products to cover a whole period will be available for collection at locations listed here.
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