Scottish Labour says it will deliver change for Scotland’s rural and island communities failed ‘by two incompetent governments’.
Leader Anas Sarwar said ‘Tory chaos and SNP incompetence has hollowed out public services in rural communities and islands.
The party said recent statistics show that almost half of households in remote rural areas were living in fuel poverty in 2022, with estimates suggesting it has risen since.
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Labour's Sarwar pledges support for rural, island communitiesMr Sarwar said: “For too long Scotland’s islands and rural communities have been forced to pay the price for two incompetent and dysfunctional governments.
“Tory economic turmoil has hit these communities hard, pushing already-high energy and food bills through the roof.
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“Meanwhile, the SNP has piled on pressure as it presides over a ferry fiasco, a rural housing crisis and the decline of rural healthcare.
“Rural communities and islands have seen public services hollowed out by two governments treating them as an afterthought.
“Scottish Labour is fighting to win in every single part of Scotland and we will deliver change for every single part of Scotland.
“Labour’s plans to back Brand Scotland will help to unlock the vast economic potential of rural Scotland and its iconic food, drink and tourism industries.
“Lower bills, higher wages, renewed public services and a stronger economy are on the ballot paper at this election.
“This is the change that Scotland’s rural and island communities need and on July 4th we can deliver it.”
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