The First Minister has insisted there are no proposals to privatise west coast ferry services.
Nicola Sturgeon addressed rumours which appeared in national newspapers about a CalMac sell off.
Ms Sturgeon assured the Scottish Parliament there was no substance to the speculation.
She gave a “very clear” commitment: “We have no plans whatsoever to privatise public service ferries.”
In addition, “contrary to concerns that have been expressed in recent press reports, we have no plans whatsoever to split up the CalMac Ferries network.”
The First Minister said the Western Isles and North Isles ferry services are delivered through public contracts, in line with relevant procurement requirements and guidance.
“That ensures control over service levels, timetables and fares. The contracts are operated by CalMac and Serco NorthLink Ferries.”
Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs: “The report that gave rise to those concerns has yet to be received by ministers.
“Once we have it, we will study it with interest but, by definition, it represents the views of the authors and not those of ministers.”
She stressed: “We will not privatise our public service ferries and, equally, we have no plans to split up the CalMac network.
“That is the Scottish Government’s position, and we will continue to invest in our ferry network to give people on our islands the service that they have every right to expect.”
What stirred up the speculation was a part of a brief for a previously announced review into the three-
CalMac does not own the ships but leases them long term from Cmal to a timetable and fare structure set down in an eight year contract awarded by Transport Scotland.
The complex arrangement was devised by the then Labour / LibDem coalition Scottish Executive in the mid-
However, many claim the set-
The final report will assess if the Scottish Executive decision in 2006 provides transparency and effectiveness particularly in today’s Brexit context.
Consultants Ernst and Young have also been tasked to identify a potential way to directly award the Hebridean and west coast ferry services contract to state-
Options for long term consideration includes an “assessment of global best practice. This should include an analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with options for decentralisation (unbundling of routes into smaller packages).”
Ms Sturgeon continued: ““Over the years that we have been in government, we have invested more than £2 billion in the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service, the northern isles ferry service and ferry infrastructure.
“We have also announced an investment of £580 million in ports and vessels to improve ferry services over the next five years, as part of the wider infrastructure investment plan.”
Nicola Sturgeon rules out ferry service privatisation
3 February 2022
