Humza Yousaf has been urged to offer compensation to island communities affected by ferry cancellations as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar hit out at the First Minister’s “fresh start”.
Ferry services have been hit by widespread disruption in recent weeks, with crucial sailings between Lochboisdale on South Uist cancelled until 13 May.
During the cancellation of the Lochboisdale service, additional daily services are provided on the Sound of Barra route to help islanders in Uist access other ferries linking the Western Isles to the mainland.
CalMac vessels Loch Seaforth, Caledonian Isles, Hebridean Isles and Clansman are also out of service.
During First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Sarwar blamed “years of government failure” on the delays, and said islanders on Uist are demanding compensation for loss of business and trade.
He said: “The harsh reality is island communities just don’t believe him. Island communities feel completely let down and they have heard these excuses for years.
“They can’t wait for more years of government failure – this is impacting the lives of islanders right now.
“Businesses are failing right now, millions of pounds are being lost right now, exports are stuck right now, and people need support right now; that’s why they need that compensation scheme.”
As the First Minister outlined his government’s priorities for the next three years earlier this week, he said his objectives offer a “fresh start”.
In response to Sarwar on Thursday, Yousaf said bolstering the ferry service is a key priority, with four new vessels being built in Turkey, along with the delayed and overbudget Glen Sannox and the as-yet-unnamed hull 802 currently under construction at the nationalised shipyard Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow. All six vessels are expected by 2026.
But Sarwar added: “This is no fresh start – Humza Yousaf has served in Government for over a decade.
“A failed transport minister, with hundreds of millions of pounds wasted on ferries that have never sailed.
“A failed justice secretary, with millions of pounds wasted on botched prosecutions and court delays.
“A failed health secretary, with over £300m wasted on delayed discharge while people wait to get lifesaving treatment.
“And just three weeks in, a failed First Minister bogged down in scandal, unable to lead and completely out of touch with the priorities of the people of Scotland.
“Now, as acting SNP treasurer, he needs to explain why Scots are still paying the price for SNP failure.”
Yousaf responded that he would look into “any proposals suggested by anybody across the chamber”, although he added: “Look, I completely accept and am unequivocal in saying that the government understands and regrets delays that have impacted island communities.
“What doesn’t help our island communities is soundbites from Anas Sarwar, not any attempt to provide solutions.
“What will help our islands of course is delivering six new major vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network by 2026; that’s a priority for this government.”
Yousaf said there have been 170,000 scheduled sailings in 2022, with 6.6% of those cancelled.
Meanwhile, a military team will also assess whether the Ministry of Defence can provide a temporary service for the Highland Council-run Corran ferry.
A reduced service has been running on the five-minute crossing of Loch Linnhe since January after the main ferry was removed for repairs.
There is now only a foot passenger service from Corran to the Ardnamurchan peninsula after relief vessel MV Maid of Glencoul broke down, leaving drivers with a 42-mile round trip.
An end to the diversion could soon be in sight after a team of MoD experts were sent to work with the council and other local agencies to explore potential options.
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