Question reference: S6W-06688
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 24 February 2022 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 March 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether public (a) subsidies and (b) contracts in the ferry industry are government intervention.
Answer
The Scottish Government ensures the continued provision of safe and efficient ferries that play a vital role in the economic, social and cultural life of our island and remote communities. Transport Scotland implements ferry policy on behalf of Scottish Ministers including by providing financial subsidies to the operators of ferry routes or networks that it considers to be lifeline and required for communities to be viable.
The operators on the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles routes provide ferry services under tendered contracts with Scottish Ministers, thereby ensuring sustainable and improving services will be provided to communities through these contracts until 2024 and 2028 respectively.