By Carole Dennett
A Freedom of Information Request, to the Government, has revealed that the cross-Solent ferry operators submitted no response at all to the main 2022 consultation on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – despite the significant impact Wightlink now says the scheme is expected to have on the cost of cross-Solent travel.
It was confirmed to the IW Observer that, while submissions were made arguing for special treatment for Northern Ireland, which received a 50 per cent discount, and the Scottish Islands, which received full exemption for its lifeline ferry services, there was no request for special treatment for the Island.
In response to the finding, a Wightlink spokeswoman said: “There is a different executive team to 2022 so it would be difficult to comment on what was carried out then.” She added that the company has since engaged extensively with the government about the scheme.
Wight West MP, Richard Quigley, said the revelation showed how the Island’s case had been overlooked at a crucial moment. He said: “Firstly, I will continue to make representation to government to exclude the Isle of Wight from the ETS. However, it is extremely disappointing that the cross-Solent operators failed to respond to the consultation in 2022. The last person to highlight the issue was Andrew Turner. It is no wonder the impact on Islanders isn’t understood by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, as the opportunity to fight our corner was missed.”
Mr Quigley said he would keep pressing ministers to recognise the Island’s unique reliance on its ferries and the disproportionate burden the ETS would place on residents.
Joe Robertson MP who represents the East Wight said: “Wightlink should have responded to the consultation when it had the opportunity. However, the Government should know it is morally wrong to levy a green tax only on travel to one UK island – the Isle of Wight – which already suffers from the highest ferry prices in Europe. Despite me reaching out across the political divide to try and improve our ferry situation, the Net Zero Minister visited the Island last week to discuss the ETS levy but did not have the courtesy of telling me. But it won’t stop me from trying to make Government and Whitehall understand that their discriminatory approach to the Isle of Wight – be it transport, education, social care, council funding or anything else – cannot continue.”
Mal Butler