Prime Minister Agrees To Consider Plans To Regulate Isle Of Wight Ferry Prices

The Prime Minister has agreed to consider proposals to regulate the cost of ferry travel to and from the Isle of Wight.

Andy Burnham was responding to a question from Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson during his first appearance in the Commons as Prime Minister.

Mr Robertson told MPs the cost of travelling to and from the Island was the area’s "number one cost of living issue".

He said high ferry fares were harming tourism and restricting access to healthcare and education.

The East Wight MP asked whether the Government would consider giving it regulatory powers to control ferry prices and ensure the Island is treated fairly.

The Prime Minister said he would "look seriously" at any proposals put forward.

He said similar powers had allowed him to reduce bus fares in Greater Manchester while he was Mayor.

Mr Burnham added:

"I don't see why it wouldn't enable him to reduce ferry fares. Bring me a proposal."

He said he understood how critical ferry prices were to "opportunity and growth" both on the Isle of Wight and the mainland.

Mr Robertson later said the Island needed to work "locally and nationally, cross-party" to end what he described as the "unique injustice" of private equity control over access to the Island.

A series of monthly roundtable meetings about Isle of Wight ferry services, organised by the Department for Transport, are due to begin later this month.