The Scottish Government will be challenged this week to safeguard the future of lifeline ferry services in the northern isles.
A Holyrood debate on the issue has been secured by the Scottish Liberal Democrats amid concern that ministers have abandoned their pledge to deliver “fair funding” for Orkney and Shetland.
Unlike the rest of Scotland, local authorities on the northern isles receive only part funding from the Scottish Government to provide internal ferries.
The annual revenue cost to Orkney Islands Council (OIC) alone is now around £5.5million.
In a statement issued ahead of tomorrow’s debate, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur and Shetland MSP Tavish Scott demanded that Finance Secretary Derek Mackay use his budget to support the islands.
“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,” they said.
“The spiraling 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 (Shetland Islands Council).
“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.”
The call was backed last night by Jamie Halcro Johnston, Conservative MSP for the Highlands and islands.
He said: “The SNP made a commitment several years ago to find a solution to ‘fair funding’ for the internal ferries in Orkney and Shetland.
“I am delighted that ministers are being brought to the Scottish Parliament to answer in detail and the Scottish Conservatives will be pressing them once again to outline their plans ahead of the budget.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Shetland and Orkney councillors have held constructive meetings with both the finance secretary and the transport minister, and their funding requests for 2018/19 will be considered as part of the on-going budget process.
“Responsibility for internal ferries remains with the local authority, but our pledge of further dialogue on this issue shows we remain committed to the principle of fair funding in the provision of ferry services and ferry infrastructure.
“Scottish Government funding for internal ferry services is not in our budget plans at present. However, we would welcome further engagement with both councils.”