Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the announcement that the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has withdrawn support for the Council of the Isles of Scilly's business case for Levelling Up funding, whether they will ensure that any subsequent application for funding for new vessels or infrastructure is subject to a condition that that Council complies with rules on competitive tendering and local government procurement.

The Levelling Up Fund grant to the Council of the Isles of Scilly is dependent upon obtaining an approved compliant full business case for replacement vessels and harbour works. The council has begun a soft market testing exercise to seek other interested parties who may be interested in the project. Any business case or potential future SPV arrangement would need to comply with public procurement rules and would be developed with specialist legal advice.