Also in the news / RTS meter update, graduation, fishing warning and more …
OFGEM is consulting on new rules that would see radio teleswitch service (RTS) meter users protected ahead of the planned shutdown of RTS on June 30.
Isles politicians MP Alistair Carmichael and MSP Beatrice Wishart welcomed the move, though said it was a case of better late than never.
Around 600,000 RTS meters remain to be replaced across the UK before the shutdown in June, with thousands of homes in Orkney and Shetland still needing smart meters upgraded.
Energy regulator Ofgem has also agreed that customers must be given tariffs that leave them “no worse off” than their previous RTS tariff.
Carmichael said it was “good news – albeit late in the day”.
However, he said there was still a lot that had been “left unanswered” as the switch-off draws closer.
“It is easy to talk about suppliers taking ‘all reasonable steps’ but what seems like a reasonable effort to someone in the Home Counties may not be the same as in the Northern Isles,” Carmichael said.
“The devil will be in the detail, but what matters is that we get meters replaced – urgently – and that they work for everyone.”
Wishart agreed, saying this was “too little too late from Ofgem”, and showed that they had been “asleep at the RTS wheel”.
“It shows plans are way behind where they need to be,” the Liberal Democrat MSP added.
“With around 5,000 properties in Shetland likely to be affected, many of my constituents have real anxiety about energy suppliers’ inability to change their meters before 30th June, and what will happen after the RTS switch-off.
“This is national infrastructure but yet again it demonstrates how we in Shetland are at the end of the line and left until last.”
THE SCOTTISH Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) has warned the prime minister not to use the industry as a bargaining chip in discussions with the EU.
The organisation delivered a letter to Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday as talks between the UK and European negotiators began.
“We must not have a repeat of 1973 when the condition of entry to the EEC was that our richly endowed fishing waters be pooled with other members,” chief executive Elspeth Macdonald said.
“Or of 2020 when the Brexit agreement, while restoring the UK to the status of sovereign coastal state, granted continued access to our waters to EU vessels to catch far more fish in our waters than they catch in their own.”
Macdonald said the prime minister should state unambiguously that the UK giving up rights to its own waters would represent a long-term critical loss of a national asset.
“The 2020 Brexit deal left the UK in a situation that no other independent coastal state would countenance – giving unfettered access to another’s fishing fleet,” she said.
“This is why the EU catches around seven times more fish by value in UK waters than the UK catches in EU waters every year.
“Giving up rights to decide who fishes in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and when and how, would be a betrayal of UK sovereignty.
“We don’t give the EU access to the UK EEZ to build windfarms or extract oil and gas, so why would we give away our hugely valuable fisheries resources?”
In her letter, Macdonald also emphasised that the SFF preference is not for a long-term access agreement with the EU but annual negotiations instead.
Finally, she stressed the UK and its devolved administrations should have complete discretion over how fisheries are managed within the UK EEZ.
“It clearly infuriates the EU that the UK, an independent coastal state, can now manage its fisheries as it sees fit,” Macdonald said.
“The UK now has the opportunity to do fisheries management better than the EU – more practical and appropriate to the UK situation.”
MSP EMMA Roddick has welcomed the Scottish Government’s confirmation that 100 per cent rates relief for hospitality businesses in Shetland will continue.
Roddick, an SNP MSP, said she has been a strong advocate for this relief, recognising the vital role that hospitality plays in the island economies.
She emphasised the importance of this support for businesses in Orkney and Shetland, which face specific challenges related to their geography.
These include increased transport costs for supplies and staff, seasonal fluctuations in trade, and the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis.
Roddick also highlighted the crucial role that pubs, restaurants, and hotels play in sustaining island communities and attracting tourism.
“This is a very positive announcement for hospitality businesses in Orkney and Shetland,” she said.
“The 100% rates relief provides crucial support, allowing businesses to continue to operate and contribute to the local economy.”
MEMBERS of the technical team from Forres-based orbital launch services company Orbex recently visited SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst to gather data on its dedicated launch complex to prepare for commercial launch services.
Orbex is entering the final preparations of the development of its advanced, low-carbon, high-performance micro-launcher, Orbex Prime.
The company is now gearing up to deliver its inaugural launch later from Unst later this year.
Orbex chief technical officer Andy Bradford said: “This is a critical time for Orbex. Visits like these are key to understanding more about our launch complex at SaxaVord and Orbex Prime’s journey into launch.
“We look forward to building on our partnership with SaxaVord Spaceport to establish Scotland as a leader in the UK space sector.”
Initial launches will take place from SaxaVord Spaceport, where Orbex has the ability to launch 10 flights per year.
FORMER Anderson High School student Louise-Marie Craigie has recently graduated from the University of Basel, Switzerland, with a PhD in Structural Biology and Biophysics.
She is the daughter of Malcolm Craigie and Debbie Mullay, and grand-daughter of Jim and Lesley Mullay.
Craigie completed her research in the University’s Biozentrum centre for Molecular Life Sciences under the supervision of Professor Timm Maier and Professor Michael N Hall, where she researched mechanisms of cell growth and ageing.
The whole family would like to congratulate her for her years of dedicated hard work, and on becoming Dr Craigie.
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