Joe Robertson MP Raises Concerns Over Solent Ferry Emissions Levy In Commons Debate

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Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson has criticised Government plans to apply the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) levy to cross-Solent ferry routes during a debate on the King’s Speech in the House of Commons.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Robertson raised concerns over rising energy bills and warned the levy could place further financial pressure on Isle of Wight residents already facing high ferry fares.

The Conservative MP said the cost of energy continued to affect households and businesses across the country and accused the Government of failing to deliver on promises to reduce bills.

Mr Robertson also highlighted concerns about the planned introduction of the ETS levy on ferries operating between Portsmouth and Fishbourne from July.

Referring to ferry prices, he told MPs:

“Next month, you can travel across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, take your car, and one return trip costs £511 for a five-mile return crossing.”

He argued ferry operators could struggle to move towards electric vessels because of a lack of grid charging capacity at ports including Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton.

Mr Robertson said the European Union was reinvesting ETS revenues into infrastructure improvements, but claimed the UK Government had not made similar commitments.

The MP recently joined with Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley in calling for the levy to be delayed or reconsidered due to the Island’s reliance on ferry travel.

Responding during the debate, Energy Minister Michael Shanks described Mr Robertson’s comments as a “bizarre” argument.