Action for Arnish campaign receives Comhairle support and political backing

Former Arnish workers, trade unions and community leaders united to launch a campaign in support of the Isle of Lewis yard which has been lying idle with no work in sight.

It follows last week’s decision by SSE not to award the contract for the first phase of its Seagreen offshore wind farm to BiFab, operators of the Arnish yard, with the work instead being carried out in China and the United Arab Emirates.

The Comhairle is backing the Action for the campaign and is meeting Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse later this month to highlight concerns and seek a more sustainable future for the Arnish yard.

Councillor Donald Crichton, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Committee, said: “The disappointing news this week that Bifab has been unsuccessful in bidding for the SSE renewables contract off the East coast is a further blow to our local economy.

“This, of course, has implications for the Arnish fabrication yard and leaves our skilled local workforce without any prospect of future work.

“It further highlights the lack of a national strategy or framework that would put in place incentives to ensure that renewable energy developers use local markets to construct their projects.

“Along with the Council Leader I am a signatory to the statement by the Arnish Campaign Group and fully share their frustration at the lack of progress in securing contracts for the yard.

“The Comhairle is meeting with the Energy Minister on September 30 and will be highlighting our concerns and seeking that he open up a new dialogue with the Arnish Campaign Group to address the issues raised and seek a more sustainable future for the Arnish yard.”

The Western Isles Labour Party has given its support to the Action for Arnish campaign.

In a statement, the constituency party said: “We warmly commend the former Arnish workers who have taken the lead in trying to focus attention on the disgraceful treatment of the yard over recent years.

“The demand for the Arnish yard to be available to any user which can bring work to it is particularly important. The dependence on BiFab which was created by the Scottish Government as a side-deal to the Fife yards has been a disaster for Arnish.

“The MP and MSP for the Western Isles are the people who should have been making these demands long ago but in their absence it is time for others to take the lead in fighting for jobs in the islands.

“Without a sustained campaign to market Arnish and make the necessary investment, we will continue to see opportunities pass the yard by without anyone being held responsible for this failure.

“The Western Isles Labour Party urges every islander, regardless of politics, to add their names to the Declaration for Arnish and to give full support to an ongoing campaign for the yard.”

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Donald Cameron and Sgir’ Uige Agus Ceann A Tuath Nan Loch Councillor Raghnall Friseal have also backed the ‘Action for Arnish’ campaign

Mr Cameron said: “It is extremely disappointing that BiFab’s high-skilled workforce in Arnish have been overlooked by SSE in the contract process for the Seagreen development.

“The SNP Government promised that we would have a green revolution in Scotland, but when local firms are losing out on business to China and UAE, it sounds like this is all talk, but no action.

“Ministers need to get round a table with local workers and other stakeholders to explain why this has happened, and what can be done to actively promote our high-skilled manufacturing workforce on Lewis.”

Cllr Raghnall Friseal added: “It has only been a few years since jobs at Arnish were saved, but this news is a slap in the face for local workers.

“I am committed to working with those involved at the Arnish site, the Scottish Government and others to identify ways of supporting our local workforce.”