Cole-Hamilton challenges First Minister on ferry compensation scheme exclusions
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today challenged First Minister, John Swinney, on the exclusion of many islands and coastal communities from the government’s scheme that pays out compensation for ferry disruption.
In June, the Scottish Government announced a fund to support businesses on just eight islands affected by disruption to ferry services.
Key island and mainland communities, including Mull, Ardrossan, Cumbrae, Iona, Islay and Jura, amongst others, have all been excluded from the scheme.
Speaking in the chamber, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:
“The Scottish Government’s ferry fiasco is a national embarrassment. It’s cost us a fortune, and yet no SNP minister has ever had the decency to resign.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats have been arguing for years that islanders and coastal communities deserve compensation for the colossal disruption to their lives.
“Now, the Scottish Government has belatedly set up a scheme. But far too many are excluded from it.
“Why do businesses on Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Islay and Jura all get absolutely nothing?”
He went on to say:
“ 'Unfair, arbitrary and divisive' – that’s what Joe Reade from the Island Bakery on Mull says about the scheme – that’s what everyone in excluded communities thinks.
“The Scottish Liberal Democrats’ consultation on the future of the ferries closes tomorrow. We’re listening to everyone affected.
“The Scottish Government clearly isn’t.
“Because there’s no compensation for Mull, where the toy shops of Tobermory are genuinely displaying signs that say their toy ferries are more reliable than real-life counterparts.
“No compensation for Cumbrae or Ardrossan, which has lost its link to Arran, because the SNP Government built a boat that doesn’t fit their harbour.
“No compensation for the islands and port towns of the West Highlands, or in Argyll and Bute where timetables were stripped back to hide the cancellations.
“Sympathy doesn’t pay the bills. When will the First Minister enrol them in the scheme, when will they get this cash?”