The Draft Scottish Budget has announced funding for inter-island free ferry travel to children and young people under 22 which follows on from the successful free bus travel scheme

Making the announcement in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 4th of December, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government in the Scottish Government Shona Robison said that “the government had listened and would now act on the priorities of people, businesses and organisations across the country .”

Shona Robinson said:

“This budget also increases the dedicated funding available to the four councils operating their own ferry services to £50.3 million.

“Alongside this is £20 million of capital funding for Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council.

“This one-off investment will enable them to sustain and improve inter-island connections.”

The Orkney News will publish more details of the Draft Budget, how it affects islanders, and what the reaction to it is.

Fiona Grahame