Projects in Orkney have benefited from a total of £300k Fairer Scotland funding this month.

The Fairer Scotland Fund, established by the Scottish Government, is used to address the causes of poverty in the local community.

Projects to improve transport links have been boosted with funding made available for Rousay islanders to hire the MV Eynhallow to attend mainland community events as well as an inter-island 'Fast Boat' scheme to run between May and September this year.

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Other successful Orkney projects include the employment of a Hoy enterprise worker to manage the island’s wind energy project plans and funding for the Volunteer Centre to continue to support volunteers in the community working with isolated adults.

OIC Convener Stephen Hagan said: "One in every five Scots lives in poverty. Although this may be less visible in Orkney than in cities, it exists nonetheless, and is exacerbated by the high cost of travel: whether to work, to access shops or services, or to visit friends and relatives.

"In a local context, some of the main causes of poverty are unemployment, cost of living and sustainability of rural communities. Vulnerable people in the community for example, those with ill health or have a disability, are particularly disadvantaged by these areas. I am delighted that Orkney has secured substantial funding for these worthwhile projects and I look forward to seeing them develop."

(GK/JM)