Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

New Direct Ferry Links to Mainland Europe

Thursday 21 March 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government does not intend to assess the merits of creating new direct ferry links to mainland Europe.
  • Ferry services are considered a competitive commercial market developed by private operators.
  • The Scottish Government is responsible for funding and support for proposed ferry links in Scotland according to the UK Government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neale Hanvey
Transport
Context

There are currently multiple direct ferry links to Europe from the UK, with five new routes established since 2021. The question addresses whether there is merit in creating additional direct ferry connections.

Question

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating new direct ferry links to mainland Europe.

Answer from Anthony Browne

The UK Government does not currently intend to undertake an assessment for creating new direct ferry links as they view the ferry sector as a competitive commercial market developed by private operators based on passenger and freight demand.

Answered
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Q2 Neale Hanvey
Economy Scotland Environment
Context

A proposed ferry link from the Forth estuary aims to reduce road congestion and carbon emissions, improve import-export resilience, and boost economic opportunities in Scotland. The project, known as Project Brave, seeks support from the Scottish Government but faces hesitation.

Question

The reinstatement of a direct ferry link from the Forth estuary into Europe addresses three key objectives: an environmental objective of reducing road congestion and carbon emissions from heavy goods vehicles; improving import-export resilience; and delivering economic opportunity to Scotland. Industry agrees and ferry operators stand ready to deliver a route, but the Scottish Government lack the courage to support Project Brave. What can be done to encourage the Scottish Government to invest a modest amount of pump-prime funding to realise the economic and environmental benefits that would be felt by all across the UK?

Answer from Anthony Browne

As ferry services are a devolved matter in Scotland, it is up to the SNP Government to decide on funding and support for the proposed ferry link. The UK Government does not subsidise such commercial operations and advises focusing efforts on the Scottish Government.

Not addressed: The specific ask about encouraging Scottish Government investment was deflected by shifting responsibility to a devolved matter.

How: Shifting Responsibility, Mentioning Devolution

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