MSP challenges Transport Minister on fair funding for ferries
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston today challenged the Transport Minister during questions in the Scottish Parliament on fair funding for internal ferries.
Having written earlier in the week to the First Minister over the conduct of Ministers in relation to the SNP commitment for the Orkney and Shetland inter-island ferries, Mr Halcro Johnston gave Humza Yousaf the opportunity to clarify the Scottish Government position after numerous Ministers have evaded questions on the issue.
Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“Just last week, Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown made clear that fair funding for Orkney and Shetland internal ferries was a long-standing Scottish Government commitment.
“However, on questioning, the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf again tried to avoid answering how and when it would be implemented. Instead, he ridiculously challenged opposition parties to support the SNP’s beleaguered budget proposals – proposals that, in over 200 pages, do not contain a single word about fair funding for our ferries. He was then rightly ticked off by the Presiding Officer for his response – the second time he has been censured by the chair while debating this issue.
“Council leaders have cautioned that current services may become unsustainable, and yet Ministers seem completely unwilling to provide any answers on their own pledge to the people of the islands.”