Islands' future at stake

Published on Saturday 20 June 2009 19:42

SOUTH Uist and Benbecula, the linked islands at the heart of the Outer Hebrides, provide us with some of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes. But they offer more than just awe-inspiring vistas of machair, sky and sea – these are living and thriving communities. After last week's announcement about the proposed loss of more than 100 jobs at the islands' missile testing range, however, Benbecula and South Uist risk being denuded of their young people and the hope they offer for the fu

As we report today, the impact of the loss of the jobs will be devastating – not just for those directly affected. In MoD and QinetiQ terms the savings they hope to make are small – but the impact on the communities will be massive. The decision by QinetiQ, the private firm that inherited the work from the MoD, is the result of technological advances that mean testing can be conducted remotely from Wales – fair enough, technology moves on.

But QinetiQ must realise that it has responsibilities beyond efficiency and a balance sheet. It has a responsibility to the communities that host their operations. It cannot just abandon them. If they do not fully appreciate this, the MoD ministers who provide the firm with its income should make them aware in no uncertain terms. Benbecula and South Uist need a sustainable economy, and no jobs should be lost until the government, the company and the local authority agree plans to safeguard the islands' infrastructure.