Orkney’s MSP, Liam McArthur, has vowed to keep up the pressure on Scottish ministers to ensure they deliver a long-term solution to fund “lifeline” ferries in the northern isles.
Local authorities on Shetland and Orkney secured more than £10million from the Scottish Government’s budget after a successful campaign for a fair deal on support for the internal services.
But the cash injection will only cover the cost of the routes in the coming year, with talks due to be held on more permanent backing.
In a letter to Mr McArthur and Shetland MSP Tavish Scott, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay confirmed that a working group would discuss “establishing mutually acceptable solutions”.
Last night, Mr McArthur has called on ministers to report back to parliament before the summer on what progress the working group has made.
The Liberal Democrat said: “These services are an absolute lifeline for island communities in Orkney.
“With the threat of industrial action looming, therefore, the first priority was always securing funding that would enable services to be maintained.
“That has now been achieved, but it is only the start. While it has set a precedent from which ministers cannot now row back in future budgets, what we need to see now are efforts to reach a longer term solution.
“Ministers have committed to working with both councils to identify longer term solutions to these issues that meet the respective needs of communities in Orkney and Shetland.
“That is welcome, but there can be no loss of urgency once the budget is passed. People in Orkney and Shetland will be watching closely to see that ministers honour the commitments they have made.”
A Scottish Government spokesman responded: “Despite a £200million real terms cut handed down by the UK Government, and following discussions between the finance secretary and councillors at Orkney and Shetland last month, we were delighted to recently announce additional and significant resource support for Orkney and Shetland internal ferry services.
“As stated in the ministerial letter to both Mr Scott and Mr McArthur last month, we are already in discussions with relevant council officials who have confirmed they are content for this process to be taken forward through the existing and established working group, with appropriate ministerial oversight, with a view to establishing mutually acceptable solutions.
“We will provide an update in due course as talks progress.”