Second Islands Forum to level up island communities

The second Islands Forum, chaired by levelling up secretary Michael Gove, will take place in May on the Isle of Wight.

The Islands Forum intends to help to level up island communities by encouraging collaboration to tackle common challenges such as connectivity, infrastructure, and demographic trends, and explore opportunities including the transition to net zero.

Eligible council leaders and chief executives of island communities in all parts of the UK have been invited to take part in the second Forum. Minister from Scottish and Welsh governments and the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland will also be attending.

The first Islands Forum took place on the Orkney Islands in September.

Gove said: "Island communities contribute richly to the UK and share their own unique set of challenges as well as opportunities.

"The Islands Forum creates a space for islanders to work together and give feedback directly to the Government, ensuring that islands can be even better places for people to work and live.

"I am delighted that the inaugural forum in Orkney was a success and look forward to meeting with islands representatives in May, at the next forum on the Isle of Wight."

Projects in island communities are set to benefit from levelling up fundings. Nearly £27 million will be spent on a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands and £5.8 million will be spent on the East Cowes Marine Hub project on the Isle of Wight.

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