Form filling and interference hitting the Isles' economy

Whilst visiting St Mary's I met with a number of community leaders. I held meetings with representatives of the Council, the Duchy and the Steamship Company to discuss proposals to improve the transport link by sea with the mainland.

As the Parliamentary Candidate for the Isles of Scilly, I am keen to understand how the current economic downturn may affect people’s jobs and I held lengthy talks with a number of people involved in tourism on the Islands. It is estimated that 85% of the islands economy relies on visitors.

As part of an on-going campaign to help small businesses by freeing up credit and stopping unnecessary form-filling, I spoke to a number of self-employed people. Nearly half of the Islands workforce is self employed.

When you visit a small, contained, community like this it is more evident how interference by the EU and Central Government leads to a lot of unnecessary form-filling and duplication. This interference means that half the work-force complete the same forms and self-assessments to establish facts that are already known. Businesses people are forced to attempt to meet criteria that shows a complete lack of understanding for Island life. Less Government interference could lead to people on the islands enjoying far greater control over their economy and identity. This could also be true for those of us on the mainland

Between meetings I was able to meet several members of the island community and discuss with them their concerns and challenges.People spoke well of the provision of education and healthcare on the islands. The need for accessible housing is high on the agenda and maintaining a transport link by sea and air fit for the 21st Century was of real concern

I was unable to complete my visit and have planned to return to the Isles of Scilly after the summer season.