The funding package will support Island communities to tackle local issues and invest in new opportunities that will help deliver a more prosperous future. This funding reflects the First Minister’s four priorities of eradicating child poverty, growing Scotland’s economy, investing in green energy and infrastructure and improving public services.

During a visit to Shetland, the First Minister will announce:

• a new £1m scheme to support the six carbon neutral islands to reach net zero by 2040 during a visit to Lerwick Harbour, which plays a pivotal role in Shetland’s green energy transition
• an additional £1m round of the Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund to help communities tackle increasing costs, distributed to the six island authorities on a population basis, helping to tackle poverty
• additional £3m funding to support locally designed critical island infrastructure projects during a visit to COPE Shetland, the Island’s leading centre for community reuse and recycling

First Minister John Swinney said: “I have made it clear that I will be First Minister for everyone in Scotland – including our island communities who face a number of unique challenges but have enormous potential.

“Islanders have been clear that more needs to be done to help them fulfil their ambitions and that is why we are developing a new National islands Plan, to be published next year.

“We will listen to island communities, and speak with local authorities to ensure the new plan meets their needs.

“In the meantime, we will continue to invest in our Islands Programme, which over the last three financial years, has distributed over £12 million to support of 61 projects on 50 islands.”