The determined fight to retain defence jobs in Uist has begun in earnest. The Hebrides Range Task Force (HRTF) has agreed to deploy all necessary effort and resources to seek to reverse the present proposals for the Hebrides Range, to safeguard the existing level of jobs and activities at the facility.
Cllr Angus Campbell, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, was elected as Chair of the Task Force. Speaking today in Benbecula, following a meeting of the group, he said:
"Today's meeting is the beginning of a determined campaign by all the agencies and community representatives present to challenge the proposals put forward by the Ministry of Defence and contractor QinetiQ last week. We are resolved in our commitment to fight these changes. Last Thursday The First Minister declared the commitment of the Scottish Government to help this community and this was re-affirmed by John Swinney at his meeting with the Task Force members yesterday in Edinburgh. We are delighted that they have agreed to be part of the Task Force. The Scottish Government confirmed yesterday that they will be writing to the Scottish Secretary to secure his support for retaining Scottish jobs. We will continue seeking whatever support we can to help with the campaign to retain these jobs in Uist, including putting our case to the Defence Minister and the UK Government.
The Task Force agreed an Action Plan to fight for the retention of jobs. One of the first priorities will be to ensure an extension of the 30-day Consultation Period on the proposals.
HIE Chair William Roe, commented: "The purpose of today's Task Force meeting was to create a strategy which will effectively challenge the announcement made by the MoD. Given the magnitude of the social and economic impact the proposed job losses would have we are calling for an extension to the consultation period. We should be given a reasonable opportunity to present a robust case addressing the true costs to our communities and highlighting the positive strategic value of the bases to the MoD. It is the Task Force's aim to ensure that any decision which claims to make savings for one arm of the Government takes full account of the true social and economic impact on the community, including the potential costs of creating and funding an economic recovery plan.
Angus Macmillan, Chairman Stòras Uibhist, said: "The loss of 125 jobs in Uist is equivalent to 25,000 jobs in Glasgow. This disastrous proposal from the MoD and QinetiQ will be fought strenuously by this community."
Other proposals include detailed research to be undertaken to strengthen the case for retention of the base. This will focus on Defence, Economic and Community aspects and will include a detailed review of the MoD/QinetiQ options appraisal process. The research will also focus on the socio-economic impacts and the wider Community impacts across the Outer Hebrides.
The Task Force expects the MoD and QinetiQ to enter detailed and meaningful consultation. The group will liaise closely with the local community and workforce representatives and their support and ideas will be vital to this process.