Far North MP, Jamie Stone, this week attended a debate on rural depopulation – secured by Torcuil Crichton, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar.
Research has projected a decline in Scotland’s population from 2033, with remote and rural areas – such as the Highlands – likely to suffer the most.
In the debate, Mr Stone highlighted employment as a major fact in reversing depopulation.
Commenting, Mr Stone said:
“For rural and remote communities, depopulation is an ever present and ever growing threat.
“I started my working life with employment at Kishorn and Nigg.
“I considered myself one of the lucky ones because this meant I was able to marry and bring up my family in the place I love and have always called home.
“This is the power of local high quality, well-paid employment opportunities.
“I want to ensure that young people today have the same opportunities that I had – so they aren’t driven from their homes here in the Far North.
“This is the only way of halting the curse of Highland depopulation, and it is my number one priority.
“In the previous Parliament, I was pleased to make a start on this with the Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and the Sutherland Spaceport.
“It is now my mission to see these projects come to fruition and provide the high quality employment opportunities they promise.”
