Debate to be held over SNP’s fair ferry funding commitment

A challenge is due to be laid down to the Scottish government to honour its commitment to “fair funding” for internal ferries in Orkney and Shetland.

A debate will get underway at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow ahead of the SNP administration’s forthcoming budget.

The call for action is being launched by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

It comes after Scottish finance secretary, Derek Mackay, faced calls to make good an earlier promise to remove the financial burden faced by the SIC in running what was described as “genuine lifeline links for island communities”.

The Lib Dems argue ferry funding is unfair because Shetland and Orkney councils receive only part funding from the Scottish government to provide internal ferries – despite a previous commitment to fair funding in the Scottish government’s Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities prospectus.

Meanwhile, inter-island ferry services are fully funded by the Scottish government in the Western Isles.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament in November 2014, the current Finance Secretary Derek Mackay – who at that time was Transport and Islands Minister – said ferry services should not place a hindrance on any local authority.

Derek Mackay said the Scottish government was ready to listen to communities over transport needs.. Photo: Dave Donaldson

“In the ‘Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities’ prospectus, which was published on 16th June, we recognised that the provision of transport services should not place a disproportionate financial burden on any council, particularly with reference to revenue support for ferry services and ferry replacement costs for internal ferry services,” he told MSPs.

In a joint statement ahead of tomorrow’s debate, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur and his Shetland counterpart, Tavish Scott, said: “In both Orkney and Shetland, internal ferry services provide a genuine lifeline upon which some of the most fragile communities in the country are entirely dependent.

“The spiralling cost to both local councils of providing these services, however, is not sustainable and poses a real threat to their future viability.

“It is simply not right that, unlike with similar ferry services elsewhere in the country, the financial burden should fall on OIC and SIC.

“The Scottish government’s earlier commitment to ‘fair funding’ was therefore welcome, as indeed was the personal undertaking given by Derek Mackay when he was the Transport Minister.

“What is not welcome or acceptable is Mr Mackay’s refusal to keep his word and deliver on that commitment. He has an opportunity to put fair ferry funding in his budget but has chosen instead to abandon his promise and hold our island communities to ransom.

“That is not good enough and parliament will have the chance this week to make that clear to the Finance Secretary. Funding of these lifeline services is too important for Mr Mackay to offer nods and winks and then play dumb. It is time for him to deliver his promise on fair ferry funding.”

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said he would challenge ministers on ferry funding.

Jamie Halcro Johnston

“Above all, Orkney and Shetland need clarity over the SNP’s commitment to ‘fair funding’ for our internal ferries. I have challenged ministers on this pledge several times and no details have been forthcoming,” he said.

“This debate is an opportunity for opposition parties to demand answers from the Scottish government on their future intentions. Island council leaders have warned that internal ferry services will not be sustainable if no action is taken.

“Scottish Conservatives will also be pressing the Scottish government to examine the wider social and economic benefits of these services.”

COMMENTS(2)

Add Your Comment
  • John Irvine

    • December 5th, 2017 13:28

    SNP and the word fair in the same sentence?………. mmmm.

    REPLY
  • Derick Tulloch

    • December 7th, 2017 12:25

    Strange

    I’m sure I remember the Liberal Democrats being in power in Scotland, in coalition with Labour, for a number of years.

    I also seem to remember that the Scottish Executive of the time carried out a botched procurement for the South Boat, successfully doubling fares without doubling revenue, and procuring boats which had to go back and have more cabins bolted on the back. Which contract collapsed in under two years, had to be refinanced.

    In that light I’d suggest that the Lib Dems be kept well away from any ferry procurement and funding issues!

    When Derek Mackay publishes the budget I have a strange feeling that these irrelevant minor parties will seek to claim credit for what he was going to include in any case.

    REPLY

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.