Scottish Labour has called for action to improve Scotland’s ferry services as new figures show 10,000 ferries have been cancelled due to technical faults since the start of 2025.

An FOI request by Scottish Labour has revealed that a shocking 10,724 CalMac ferries have been cancelled in the last year and a half.

The data showed there were more cancellations in April of this year than the entirety of 2015.

During April’s ferry chaos, John Swinney promised islanders a £10 million Islands Resilience Fund – however, since the election it has delivered just £3 million of that funding.

Scottish Labour said the ferry crisis demanded “urgent action” to deliver for islanders, taxpayers and shipyard workers.  

Commenting, Scottish Labour Islands spokesperson Donald MacKinnon said “Behind these cancellations are islanders cut off from loved ones, businesses fighting for survival and barriers to basic services.  

“For years island communities like mine have been promised improvements, but breakdowns are still rife.

“John Swinney and the SNP must make good on their election pledge and deliver support promised to island businesses during April’s ferry chaos.

“We owe it to Scottish islanders, taxpayers and shipyard workers to come together and develop a real plan to fix our ferry system for good.

“Scottish Labour will continue to call for an overhaul of our ferry system, a stronger voice for island communities and a long-term shipbuilding plan.”

ENDS

Notes

CalMac ferry cancellations:

• Since the start of 2025, 10,724 ferries have been cancelled for technical reasons.
• There were more technical cancellations in April of this year (997) than the whole of 2015 (709).

Source: CalMac responses to Scottish Labour FOIs.

Islands Resilience Fund:

• An SNP press release issued on Tuesday 7 April, embargo 00.01 said: “Ahead of visiting Na h-Eileanan an Iar, the First Minister will confirm that in the first 20 days of a re-elected SNP Government, he would bring forward a £10 million Island’s Operational Resilience Fund to support impacted businesses and organisations across Scotland’s islands.”
• A press release from August confirmed just £3 million would be available this financial year: “Financial support for island businesses affected by ferry disruption will be made available through the first phase of the £10 million Islands Resilience Fund. This will provide a further £3 million in 2026-27 to help mitigate the disproportionate impact faced by people and businesses living and operating in Scotland’s islands.” https://www.gov.scot/news/strengthening-islands-resilience/