Dè tha dol | Monthly round up - July 2026

torcuilcrichtonmp
Aug 6
6 min read

Welcome to my monthly round up of my work both in parliament and in the constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar.

IN THE CONSTITUENCY:

Launch of survey - 'Home is calling...is housing stopping you?'

We kicked off July with the launch of our housing survey 'Home is calling...is housing stopping you?' which I am running alongside Donald MacKinnon MSP.

It is no secret that access to housing is a major issue in the islands, and the current way of measuring housing demand heavily based on numbers on waiting lists is not accurately conveying demand. Data from those that live away, and demand from business and community organisations, is not recorded.

Throughout the summer, young people and families returning home are invited to complete this survey and share their experiences of housing challenges. Businesses and community organisations are also encouraged to complete separate surveys to highlight how housing issues in the Western Isles are affecting them.

PUBLIC SURVEY

BUSINESS SURVEY

COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

Attended South Harris Agricultural Show

Myself and Donald MacKinnon headed down to Leverburgh to attend the fantastic South Harris Agricultural Show. We distributed our housing survey and had some great conversations with those who dropped by our Tunnnock's Teacake tent!

It may have been a bit breezy, but the turnout was good and the atmosphere was fantastic. Well done to everyone that helped make it happen and to those who entered into the competitions.

Lewis Visits

Stornoway Jobcentre

I recently met with the local Jobcentre in Stornoway. We discussed the different routes to work for younger people and those over the age of 50. They explained the way they can individually tailor support to help people get into the workplace.

With over 90 employees they are doing a power of work in the islands supporting those who need it and I look forward to working constructively with them to best serve our communities.

Ionad Spòrs Leodhais

I visited Ionad Spòrs Leodhais this month and it was great to speak with Michael Stone, Facilities Operations Manager at Lewis Sports Centre. We discussed the upgrades and ongoing maintenance of sports and leisure facilities across the islands. I decided not to race him on the track, but I saw the new gym equipment which will be coming to all the gyms across the Western Isles.

We also talked about the results of a consultation that was conducted earlier this year on access to services and the impacts and responses to this.

It was incredible to hear that they have just shy of 9,000 users across the islands, myself included!

The sports services we have is evidenced in the calibre of athletes in the islands, including those participating in the Island Games with support from the Western Isles Island Games Association.

IN PARLIAMENT:

Intern visits parliament

Our new intern in the constituency office in Stornoway, Daniel James, got to visit Parliament this month and what a week it was since it coincided with Kier Starmer's last week in office. Here is his overview of the trip:

Daniel James pictured back row, last on the right.

Monday - 13th of July.

On the first day we headed to 1 Parliament Street where I received a 4-day parliamentary pass that allowed me to move freely round the parliament estate. I then completed mandatory induction training in Torcuil’s office, and had an entire tour, of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, St. Stephen’s Hall and more. Following this, I attended the Highlands & Islands All Party Parliamentary Group meeting with Torcuil as chair, two Lords present, including The Baroness MacLeod of Camusdarach, the SNP MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, along with the Member of Parliament for Inverness, Skye and West Ross shire, Angus Macdonald. Later in the day, I attended a rural banking hub Treasury drop-in - where evidence of the lack of access to cash in parts of the isle’s was brought to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Blake MP.

Tuesday - 14th of July

On the second day I went down with Torcuil and attended the ‘Back North Sea Oil and Gas Not Imports’ protest - where broadcasters such as LBC, and BBC News were present and documenting. Further on in the day, I attended the Scottish Affairs Committee, where Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander was present, along with the under Secretary of State Kirsty Macneil MP and the Baroness Smith of Cluny KC.

Wednesday - 15th of July

On my last day in parliament, I got to attend the Speaker’s procession, where I saw the Speaker, Lindsey Hoyle. I then joined Torcuil in a meeting with members of the Vodafone team to discuss connectivity issues across very rural areas of the island which have black spots and got to hear about future plans for improvement across the island’s services. Later that day, I sat in another APPG - an evidence session on HM Coastguard Rescue Officers supposed remuneration changes. This meeting led to these changes to income being scrapped by the MCA, so it was very admirable the effort and uproar that was caused and that politics does work - which I saw there and then in real time.

Success in reversing coastguard remuneration

I was delighted that after a number of weeks of campaigning to stop the planned end to remuneration to search and rescue volunteers, the decision was overturned.

As Chair of the Search & Rescue All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) I pushed the government hard against the proposed changes.

I argued that removing this remuneration would have undermined recruitment and retention, devalued the commitment of volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) and risked weakening the resilience of the UK's maritime search and rescue capability.

Coastguard Rescue Officers give up countless hours to protect lives in often dangerous and demanding circumstances. The modest financial remuneration they receive recognises the significant commitment they make and helps ensure that this vital volunteer service remains sustainable.

I will continue to work with Coastguard Rescue Officers and the UK Government to ensure the long-term sustainability of the volunteer Coastguard Rescue Service and to support those who dedicate their time and expertise to keeping the public safe.

Search and Rescue Vehicle Excise Duty exemption progress

Additional good news this month was that draft legislation for an exemption for search and rescue vehicles from Vehicle Excise Duty was published.

This was an addition to the Budget 2025 that myself and Josh MacAlister MP campaigned for and will save rescue teams across the UK thousands of pounds each year.

Revealed only 10% of Scottish Emergency

I called for a change in the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme after it emerged that only 10 per cent of the £10 million fund has been disbursed.

I asked the UK Energy Minister Martin McCluskey in the Commons how much of the fund had been claimed and he revealed only around £1m out of the £10m available had been allocated.

It is clear the current criteria is not working so it's time for it to change to allow more pe

ople to access the support available before the scheme is due to end in September.

Given that almost half of island households are dependent upon heating oil and that we have the highest rates of fuel poverty in the country, support should be directed where it is most needed.

I encourage anyone who feels that they need help to apply for the £300 support and to get in touch with my office if they need assistance.

Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme

Civil Service Pensions

Carol, a constituent of mine, wrote in explaining that due to a shambolic mishandling of the transfer of civil service pensions to Capita, she would be unable to retire when she wanted to.

I subsequently pressed government ministers on ensuring that the Government support those affected and hold Capita to account on their failure.

Click here to see the full contribution.

Tuna Licensing

Angus Campbell in Harris last year held the only commercial Blue Fin Tuna fishing license in Scotland and expected to receive another license for 2026 after spending thousands on infrastructure. Not only did he not receive a license, but no Scottish licenses at all were issued.

I raised this with ministers in Parliament asking for clarity on the process and for answers as to why there was not a regional distribution of licenses.

Click here to watch the full contribution.

| JULY CASEWORK UPDATE |