Labour peer Lord Berkeley has urged the government to subsidise the ferry route to the Isles of Scilly, arguing that the current fares are too high compared with subsidised services elsewhere in the UK.
Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord Berkeley, who is a harbour commissioner in Fowey, highlighted that the ferry operates for only seven months a year, with a return fare of £90. He contrasted this with the route to Islay in Scotland, where several ferries run daily year-round and a return fare costs just £12.50.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said subsidies are generally provided only where services cannot be offered commercially, which is not the case for the Isles of Scilly. They noted that the existing operator recently invested in the Scillonian III to extend its service for another six years.
Isles of Scilly Travel, the firm running the route, stated it remains committed to providing the service for the foreseeable future and will continue to monitor the debate.
