Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 23 March 2022
I thank Graham Simpson for securing this important debate on Scotland’s ferries, which is timely, given the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy’s statement on the Audit Scotland report this afternoon.
It is necessary that, as transport minister, I listen to the Opposition and engage collaboratively on the best way forward. Mr Simpson and Mr Bibby know that I am adopting that approach to public ownership of Scotland’s railways, so it will not surprise either of them that it is in that spirit that I intend to make the changes that are required to build resilience in our ferry fleet and to provide reassurance to our island communities.
I know that for our island communities, our ferries are not just boats: they are lifeline services that bring food and vital supplies. They facilitate onward journeys to family and essential hospital appointments, as we have heard. They are a bridge across our sometimes tumultuous seas and it is vital that the Government—where it has responsibility and accountability—gets this right for people who live on our islands.
I want, therefore, to start with an apology. I am sorry that, this winter, islanders have not been provided with the services that they deserve and to which they should have access. I am sorry that their needs have not always been fully met. I am sorry that when things have gone wrong, islanders have often not always been communicated with appropriately or in a timely fashion.
I am acutely aware of the need for Government—and CalMac—to improve in that regard. Although I cannot wave a magic wand and make our fleet more resilient overnight, I am intent on delivering a better service. Working with our island communities, I will explore every possible avenue to do just that.
I have heard loud and clear the concern and difficulties that have been faced in the recent prolonged period of disruption. It is important to reflect on the combination of an unprecedented series of named storms and the considerable disruption on the network resulting from the impact of the pandemic.
On weather, when I say “unprecedented”, I note CalMac’s own observation that there was more weather disruption in the first seven weeks of 2022 than there was in the whole of 2012. In much the same way as it is impacting on our railway network, climate change is impacting on our seas and our ferry fleet. Indeed, weather and Covid-related incidents combined accounted for 92.75 per cent of the disruption that was experienced in January and February alone. Although it is important to note that those disruptions were caused by factors that are outwith our control, the impact of extended maintenance requirements and breakdowns, which were due in part to the age of the fleet, must also be addressed, so I will come to that shortly.