The Hebrides Range Taskforce is an alliance of community and business groups, politicians of all parties, the Outer Hebrides Local Authority and agencies. Taskforce Members include:

• The Community (as represented by Stòras Uibhist (the community landowner); elected councillors and the community councils)
• Ministry of Defence
• Business Community representation through the Chamber of Commerce
• Hebrides Range staff representation through the Trade Unions
• Member of Parliament
• Member of the Scottish Parliament
• Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• Skills Development Scotland

The Taskforce was created to campaign against proposals in June 2009 to reduce Ministry of Defence operations at the Hebrides Range on the islands of Benbecula and South Uist.  This would have had a devastating impact on the economic sustainability of the community and would also have severely damaged the defence capacity of the UK.

The Taskforce campaigned through the summer of 2009 for the retention of the facilities, culminating in the proposals being comprehensively rejected by the UK Government in September 2009. 

The Taskforce has refocused its efforts to a strategic approach that looks to identify new opportunities for the enhancement of Hebrides Range and on identifying opportunities for the diversification of the local economy.

With the election of a new UK Government in May 2010, the Taskforce believes that the case for retention of Hebrides Range requires to be restated to the Government.  Over the next period the Taskforce will engage with Government and other key stakeholders to continue to make a robust case on behalf of Hebrides Range. 

Over the period between June and September 2010, Hebrides Range Taskforce will seek to undertake the following tasks in support of Hebrides Range:

• Revisit the “Defence Case” prepared by Hebrides Range Taskforce in 2009 and seek to strengthen as appropriate
• Revisit the “Socio-Economic Case prepared by  Hebrides Range Taskforce in 2009 and seek to strengthen as appropriate
• Develop a new programme based around key political contacts and advisers in:
  • Ministry of Defence
  • HM Treasury
  • Scotland Office
  • Opposition
  • Whitehall
  • Scottish Government
  • Scottish Parliament
• Seek to attend the four main party Conferences
• Develop a refreshed media programme to ensure that the Hebrides Range remains appropriately positioned in the public eye.