Lib Dems secure access for more islands to Ferry Disruption Fund and vow to push for coastal communities

West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has today said the SNP have finally begin to move on ferry disruption funds as the Scottish Government bowed to pressure from the Scottish Liberal Democrats and affected communities to include more islands in the scheme, as he vowed to keep up the pressure so that coastal communities like Ardrossan and Dunoon are not left out.

The £4.4million Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) for communities affected by ferry disruption was initially only available to a small number of islands.

Scottish Government have now conceded that more businesses on more islands will benefit from the scheme, but mainland coastal communities remain excluded.

Mr Greene, MSP for West Scotland, said it was “deeply unfair” that businesses in towns like Ardrossan, Dunoon, and Cumbrae still could not receive IBFR support despite many feeling the impact of ferry disruption.

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Argyll and Bute, Alan Reid, also noted that the fund still did not “go far enough” to help coastal communities.

Both Mr Greene and Mr Reid have also urged ministers to extend the deadline of the IBRF (12th January) to afford coastal firms the time they need to make their applications.

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson, Jamie Greene MSP, said:

"Securing support for islands like Arran, Islay and Mull shows the committed community campaigning that you only get from the Scottish Liberal Democrats. SNP representatives barely lifted a finger.

“The job is not done however. Our coastal businesses are every bit as impacted by disrupted ferries as those on the islands and they need support.

“It is deeply unfair that they cannot access the IBRF and some will be facing difficult, potentially painful, decisions as a direct result.

“As well as being included immediately in the funding process, the deadline for applications should be extended to allow these firms time to prepare properly.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Argyll and Bute, Alan Reid, said:

“Businesses in ferry ports on the Argyll mainland like Dunoon are rightly angry about not being able to access the IBRF funding they need to cope with constant ferry disruptions.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are proud to have played a part in pushing the Scottish Government to include more island businesses in the scheme, but it still does not go far enough.

“The hardworking businesspeople of Argyll and Bute should not pay the price for the mess Scotland’s ferries are in. We’ll continue to fight to get Scotland moving again and ensure that people here get a fair crack of the whip after years of SNP neglect."