LABOUR MSP Katy Clark has welcomed a major investment in Ferguson Marine – but branded news that it will not be directly awarded a contract to build seven new CalMac ferries ‘disappointing’.

The Scottish Government confirmed yesterday it would funnel up to £14.2m into the nationalised shipyard over the next two years as it was revealed it would not provide the yard with a direct award of work to construct seven electric ferries.

Katy Clark, Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland, said: “I am pleased the Scottish Government has finally listened to calls from Scottish Labour, trade unions and the workforce and provided investment to reconfigure the yard.

“The news there will be no direct award at this stage is disappointing, but I have hope this investment will enable Ferguson’s to reconfigure the yard, undo changes made when it was in private ownership, and help equip it for the future.

“Shipbuilding must form part of Scotland's industrial strategy going forward, particularly given the urgent need to replenish our ferry fleet.

“Despite the disastrous errors made by ministers and yard management in recent years, building ships in Scotland remains a more sustainable and cost-effective long-term solution than outsourcing projects abroad or scouring the globe for emergency leases.

“It must be all hands-on deck to develop an industrial strategy that makes that future a reality.”