Secretary of State Michael Gove has been hearing the challenges facing UK Islands, on the first day of the Islands Forum held on the Isle of Wight.

Representatives from ten UK Islands have been sharing feedback directly to the government cabinet minister.

Amongst today's activities included a visit by Michael Gove to several key Island businesses and projects such as Wight Shipyard Co in East Cowes, with the main focus over the two days being jobs and skills.

Island MP Bob Seely, who helped to set up the forum, said he would be using the opportunity to get more support for places like the Isle of Wight College.

He said: "For example, there's a university specifically for the Western Islands and for the islands in Scotland.

"Is a potential solution for us to tie in more with that organisation or is it to get government to help me persuade Southampton and Portsmouth Universities to engage more with the Island? 

"Not by taking our students to Portsmouth and Southampton but by coming here and making sure Islanders can do a three year degree course on the Isle of Wight."

"We need jobs in engineering, in high tech sectors and shipbuilding, manufacturing and green industries."

The County Press contacted the nine other Islands to find out the challenges facing them and what they hope to achieve from the forum. Four responded.

Argyll and Bute Council, which represents 23 inhabited islands, more than any other in Scotland, said its main challenges are depopulation, housing and transport.

It said one of its main priorities is to make sure everyone has access to housing, and central to this is maintaining the population on our islands.

Also citing transport links as a challenge, is Shetland Islands Council.

The authority also lists the higher cost of living; demographic change (ageing population); a lack of available workforce; and supply chain and infrastructure challenges as it transitions from oil and gas, to new energy.

For The Highland Council, the issues being discussed are minimum incomes standards; skills, innovation and employment; labour market issues and associated migration challenges.

Meanwhile, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, a local authority based in Stornoway in the Isle of Lewis, face "significant challenges" including depopulation; connectivity (transport and comms); economic development; financial challenges; and housing and recruitment problems.

Mr Seely added: "It's about finding a common agenda among the Islands.

"And secondly, can we find that common agenda and use it to influence government to listen to islands and get those sorts of policies which will create better life chances and opportunities for Islands the length and breadth of Britain?"

Representatives are also attending from Rathlin, Northern Ireland; the Isle of Anglesey; Orkney Islands; North Ayrshire Council; and the Isles of Scilly.

The Islands Forum continues tomorrow (Thursday).