Question reference: S5W-33227
- Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 12 November 2020
-
Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 9 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26338 by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 November 2019, whether it will provide an update on progress to provide funding to replace the ferry, Good Shepherd IV, and associated infrastructure upgrades, which connects Fair Isle to mainland Shetland.
Answer
We remain committed to supporting the sustainability of our island communities, which depend on a range of factors alongside transport connectivity. I am acutely aware of the impacts that Covid-19 and the tragic loss of the Bird Observatory in March 2019 have had on the Fair Isle community. Scottish Government officials have been engaging with the ambitious plans of rebuilding the Bird Observatory, which plays a key role in the island’s sustainability.
Further to answer S5W-26338, I was also pleased to be able to secure further additional revenue funding of over £5.2m in the 2020-21 budget for Shetland Islands Council (SIC) to support the Council's internal ferries, including the Fair Isle service. This brings the total additional support provided to SIC, on top of funds for ferry services subsumed within the annual local government settlement, to over £15.4m over the last three years, in a very challenging financial climate.
Internal ferries are a matter for local authorities to consider and allocate appropriate capital funding towards to ensure they can be delivered. However we are aware of the requests for additional financial assistance from SIC, and other local authorities, and Scottish Ministers are open to continue engagement through the 2021-22 budget process.