Free Inter-Island Ferry Travel for Under 22s: Secured

Since the rollout of the free bus travel scheme, I have consistently argued that young islanders should be able to access the same benefits of those living on the mainland, through an expansion to inter-island ferries.  I often find myself making the point to some of my Central Belt colleagues that islanders rely on ferries in the same way they rely on cars and buses. 

Alongside Shetland and Orkney’s MSYPs, I have met with multiple Transport Ministers over recent years to push for this progress, and was delighted with the news last year that Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, had commissioned work into scoping the cost of delivering this in future.

On Wednesday, Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison delivered the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget for the upcoming year to parliament.  Budget announcement days are always exciting, albeit a little hectic, as MSPs frantically pour over the detail and listen carefully for positive announcements relating to their local area. 

In amongst each of these very welcome commitments was confirmation that our years of campaigning has been successful, and free inter-island ferry travel will indeed be made available to young people in our island communities. 

I am hopeful that this will empower young islanders to access numerous new educational, professional, and social opportunities that may have previously been inaccessible for them due to cost. 

This was an extremely positive budget overall.  We heard details on how the SNP will step up where Labour has failed to mitigate the cruel two-child cap in Scotland, as well as news on record funding for much-needed affordable housing, vital local infrastructure projects, and enhanced island connectivity in the form of funding for flights, ferries, and fixed links. 

I will continue to ensure that this SNP Government hears the voices of islanders, and I will always champion the needs of both Scotland’s young people and our island communities.