Communities across the Far North of Scotland are paying a price for Brexit, with lost European funding threatening investment in roads, harbours and opportunities for younger generations, according to Highland MP Jamie Stone.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross raised his concerns during a House of Commons debate on rejoining the European Union on Monday 12 October, highlighting the importance of the funding that once supported infrastructure across the Highlands.
For decades, European investment helped finance projects that might otherwise have struggled to secure the money needed to proceed, particularly in remote and rural communities.
Stone reminded MPs that the benefits remain visible across the Highlands, where signs acknowledging European support can still be found beside infrastructure developed with EU assistance.
The debate comes amid renewed questions about whether the funding arrangements introduced after Brexit adequately replace the support previously available to Scotland.
According to figures highlighted by Stone, Scotland received more than £7.7 billion through European Cohesion Policy funding over 50 years, supporting investment associated with the creation of 235,000 jobs.
He also pointed to an estimated £337 million shortfall in replacement funding compared with what Scotland would have received under previous EU structural funding arrangements.
The figures underline the scale of the investment involved, although the long term economic impact of Brexit also depends on wider changes to trade, public spending and the availability of alternative funding.
For rural areas, the consequences of reduced investment can be particularly difficult because maintaining essential infrastructure often involves higher costs and serves smaller populations.
Harbours support fishing and maritime businesses, roads connect isolated communities with employment and public services, and local development programmes can help smaller enterprises establish themselves and grow.
Stone argues that these are not simply questions about government budgets but about the ability of communities to maintain their populations and economic futures.
He said:
“For communities in the Far North of Scotland, investment in infrastructure and local development is vital.
“We need to support our businesses, create opportunities for the next generation and ensure that young people can build a future in the Highlands.
“European funding made a real difference to our communities, leaving the EU has done us no good at all.
“We must recognise that contribution and ensure rural and remote communities receive the long-term investment they need.”
The parliamentary debate followed a public petition calling for Britain to apply to rejoin the European Union, which attracted more than 111,000 signatures.
The discussion reflects a wider reassessment of Britain’s relationship with Europe, including the economic effects of leaving the single market and the opportunities available to younger people.
The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that Brexit will leave the UK economy around 4% smaller in the long term than it would otherwise have been.
However, the question of whether Britain should rejoin the EU remains politically contested, with different parties advocating closer cooperation, renewed membership or maintaining the current arrangements.
For the Highlands, Stone’s immediate concern is ensuring that rural communities do not lose out financially as a consequence of those wider political decisions.
His argument is that whatever Britain’s future relationship with Europe, investment in local infrastructure, businesses and young people must not be allowed to fall behind.
For communities already facing the challenges of distance, limited employment opportunities and population change, that investment can be central to securing a sustainable future.
