Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the statement by the Council of the Isles of Scilly published on 14 April 2023 that the Department for Transport will take the lead on the Isles of Scilly Sea Links Project, whether they will consider the environmental and economic benefits of a single combined passenger and freight vessel operating all year round, rather than continuing the current operating model involving separate freight and passenger vessels, with no passenger service for five months of each year.

I can confirm that this is the same project for which the Isles of Scilly submitted a Levelling Up Fund bid for £48.4 million in June 2021.

DfT recognises the potential benefits of a hybrid vessel, which can accommodate both passengers and freights. These benefits will be considered to determine if a more frequent and efficient service can operate, and potentially be extended to run over the winter months.

I wrote to the current operator advising that the proposal received from Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which sought to use public (levelling up) funding without the need of competition, did not meet the public procurement requirement in the context of the Levelling Up Fund. This position remains.

The Council of the Isles of Scilly are leading on the current survey to seek the islander’s preferences for value for money, fares and freight costs, and a year-round passenger service as opposed to a summer only service. DfT and the council have agreed that the results of this survey will be shared with the public once available.

The DfT have advised the Council of the Isles of Scilly that it will take the lead on finalising the ownership and delivery option for the Isles of Scilly Sea Links Project. The Council of the Isles of Scilly will remain the accountable body and will be required to submit any subsequent business case. As a levelling up funding project, the intention of DfT is that that project remains compliant with public procurement regulations. It also acknowledges the need for competition when procuring new vessels and operation of services.