Ferries scandal Scotland: Humza Yousaf rules out transport budget spend on compensation and says he expects to see improvements on ferry network

First Minister visits Fort William to announce funding for rural communities

First Minister Humza Yousaf says he expects to see an improvement in Scotland’s ferry network next year, as he warned there were better ways to spend the transport budget than on compensating businesses.

His comments came as he visited The Nevis Centre in Fort William to announce £80,000 of funding to help those living in rural communities have a say in national decision-making.

Mr Yousaf said he “deeply regrets” any disruption on the ferry network, and stressed it was not something the Scottish Government took lightly.

The Glen Sannox ferry under construction

However, he added while the Government still had an “open mind” on compensating businesses affected by the ferry disruptions, he warned it was better to spend the transport budget on “bolstering” the fleet rather than on compensation.

Fort William is just one of a number of communities in the Highlands and Islands to have been impacted by recent cancellations and unreliability on the ferry network. A number of crossings leave from the town’s port, including the Corran Ferry, which has gone months without its usual vessel the MV Corran.

Mr Yousaf said: “Let’s be categorical – any loss of resilience on the ferry network is one we feel deeply in the Scottish Government. We know it is a lifeline, important connectivity for businesses right across the islands and we don’t take lightly any disruption.

“That’s why we are investing in additional vessels, six new vessels by 2026. Myself and the Government, we deeply regret any disruption that takes place on the ferry network. I expect there to be an improvement year on year.”

First Minister Humza Yousaf

Businesses in the islands have been putting pressure on the Government to pay them compensation for the money they have lost because of the ferry disruption.

Mr Yousaf said the Government would “keep an open mind”, but added: “The reason we have not brought forward a compensation scheme is we need to take that from other parts of our transport budget.

“We are much better using those funds to bolster the network as opposed to looking at a compensation scheme.”

Mr Yousaf was in Fort William as part of a tour of the Highlands. He used the visit to announce £80,000 of funding for the next Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament, which is coming to the Lochaber town in the autumn.

Those attending the assembly will be able to pass on their thoughts to the Government to help shape its rural delivery plan and its islands plan.

Mr Yousaf said: “When I became First Minister, I promised to lead Scotland in the interests of all of our people – and to listen and work with anyone and everyone who shares my vision of a fairer Scotland.

“I believe, therefore, that it is vital that rural and island communities and businesses have a say in decisions that affect them. The discussions and views aired will help inform Scottish Government policy-making.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest to sign up for this year’s event and to make what I am sure will be very valuable contributions to the discussions on the future of Scotland’s rural and island communities.”