Rhoda Grant MSP Attacks SNP/Greens Again On Ferries Issue

7th June 2023

"Out of sight, Out of mind" approach by this Scottish Government on ferries and compensation for island businesses.

In the Scottish Parliament Chamber today, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant accused the SNP-Green Government for taking an out of sight, out of mind approach on island communities following further ferry withdrawal and protests in South Uist. Citing that if a third of the population were to protest in Edinburgh, they would not be ignored.

At Topical Questions today, Rhoda Grant MSP raised the peaceful protest which took place in South Uist over the weekend following further ferry withdrawal last week.

Mrs Grant rebutted claims that communication was to blame and that instead the problem was with the lack of ferries - which lies squarely with the Scottish Government.

She then urged the Scottish Government to create a resilience fund from Transport Scotland penalty charges to Calmac (which amounted to £2.5m last year alone). This could then compensate island businesses for the ongoing disruption.

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just transition, Mairi McAllan stated that they were pressing Calmac on their prioritisation matrix but she was of the view that Scottish Government should continue to use that money in the ferry network.

She then used the £9m charter for the MV Alfred as an example of investment, which is currently providing resilience to Arran. In rebuttal, Mrs Grant said "You can buy the boat for £9 million".

Speaking after Topical Questions Rhoda Grant said: "A third of the South Uist community protested this withdrawal. That number cannot be understated and, to me, highlights their frustration and loss of confidence in our Scottish Government.

"Edinburgh businesses got compensated when they were disrupted by the building of the tram lines. The ferry disruptions have lasted longer and have arguably been tougher on communities. Yet this SNP Government stay firm and refuse compensation. It is unfair and it is unjust and it needs to change before business go to the wall."

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