The Road Equivalent Tariff, which reduces ferry fares to the Western Isles, has today been extended to cover islands off the west coast of Scotland, but does not cover Shetland or Orkney.

Tavish Scott MSPCommenting on the failure to provide any help to the Northern Isles, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Shetland Tavish Scott said:

“Scotland now has two classes of island. Those who receive preferential bribes otherwise known as RET and those who see their services threatened while no extra money is spent on lifeline services.

"There is no good news today from the Nationalist Government for Orkney and Shetland who face the upheaval, uncertainty and Government incompetence of a shipping re-tender. A tender process the Nationalists in opposition said they would abandon.

“I also find it revealing that the Scottish Government release this bad news for Orkney and Shetland when the news agenda is dominated by the economy. The UK Government are helping all islands with a cut in fuel duty.

"The Nationalist Government only help the islands who they represent - the contrast could not be clearer. When added to the Nationalist cuts to the popular Air Discount Scheme, it is very clear that this Scottish Government now have two island transport policies.

George Lyon MEP“Shetland and Orkney deserve better than a Scottish Government who just demonstrate by their actions that they do not care.”

Commenting on the extension to the Argyll and Bute islands, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland George Lyon added:

“The extension of RET to some west coast islands is welcome. For too long, the Western Isles have enjoyed a substantial competitive advantage due to favouritism from the SNP.

“It is important that this extension rectifies, rather than compounds, this issue. I’ll be seeking clarification from Ministers that the extension puts travellers and businesses in the Argyll and Bute islands on to the same competitive footing as the Western Isles.”