Richard Quigley MP used his question at Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday) to raise growing local concerns about the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on Isle of Wight ferry services.
The Isle of Wight West MP warned that, without an exemption, ferry fares could rise further – placing increased pressure on Island residents, businesses, and visitors.
Richard’s intervention follows months of engagement with ferry operators and Ministers, including discussions dating back to October 2025. He has held 2 meetings with the Minister for Industry, who has welcomed continued collaboration with both Isle of Wight MPs and acknowledged the serious implications the ETS could have for the Island’s connectivity and economy.
Last week, Richard published a letter to the Minister stating clearly that:
“The Isle of Wight cannot afford the costs of the ETS being applied to our ferry services.”
During PMQs, Richard described the Isle of Wight as ‘a fantastic place to live, work and learn’, but reiterated longstanding concerns about cross-Solent transport, including reliability, frequency, and cost. He noted that these issues have been the subject of previous discussions with the Prime Minister.
Addressing the Prime Minister directly, Richard said:
“With the Emissions Trading Scheme (which ironically only applies to a hybrid vessel) now set to increase fares further – despite exemptions granted for Scottish services and the Island lacking the grid capacity to fully decarbonise – I am deeply concerned about the impact on our island community.
Article continues below this advertisement “Will the Prime Minister urgently ask DESNZ Ministers to review this issue, to ensure that the Isle of Wight does not face enforced increases to fares?”
In response, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said:
“I know how important affordable ferries are for his constituents’ everyday lives. The ETS scheme will make journeys cleaner and we’re working with ferry companies on the grid connections in ports to enable greener vessels I’ll make sure he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister”.
Whilst it was good to see the issue raised, I got the distinct impression that Keir Starmer didn’t really give a monkeys chuff about our plight.
Watching it reminded me of being at school, it was like seeing a schoolboy being patted on the head by the head teacher and being told to go talk to someone else about his problem.
Sadly this happens all too often in government`. Bob Sealey got much the same treatment from his PM when he was in office.
The truth is we are too far away from London down here, I doubt most MPs could even find us on a map! Had we been up north or had a by election pending they might notice us, but as it is the Island will sadly be ignored again!
Frustratingly, I don’t think it’s so much that KS “didn’t …give a monkeys chuff about our plight”
It’s more that he doesn’t understand it, or the ETS. the clue is when he said “The ETS scheme will make journeys cleaner”
The stated Purpose of the ETS is that it: “Incentivises industrial decarbonization by creating a carbon price, forcing participants to pay for their emissions.”
If the ‘participants’ are not able to ‘decarbonize’ due to infrastructure or viability reasons,.. all it does is increase costs for consumers.. it does absolutely nothing to ‘make journeys cleaner’…
If Quigley is concerned about the climate eg Emissions,
why is nothing being done about all the dirty diesel and
petrol vehicles that are polluting this small island!
Many Councils are combating such issues by charging
owners of diesel vehicles extra parking charges to
encourage owners to switch to EVs
The island does not have a clean air zone like many
places in Britain.
There also needs to be deals to encourage motorists to go green.
EV drivers should get better deals on ferry crossings.
The island is behind in the green stakes!.
This chocolate teapot of an MP is totally useless no one will listen to this and fares will go up . He must be the first and last Liebor mp for the Isle of Wight ever. Council tax up energy prices up immigration up borrowing up benefits bill up unemployment up tv licence up tax thresholds frozen growth flatlining but wait for it some train fares frozen. Starmer clinging on like dog tu*d on your shoe General election now Liebor out.
Starmer ain’t going no where, his Davos bosses will not
allow it.
Unfortunately we have to wait until 2029, by then it
will be too late, who would want to be a youngster in
2026 Britain, so sad.
I fear for my grandchildrens futures, it’s not looking good.
All because the previous CONservative government screwed the economy in the first place. Remember monies being squandered to ‘mates’ for PPE contracts during Covid? Austerity, Brexit, and so on. And after their 14 years, we are in a worse position than in 2010
https://www.bigissue.com/news/politics/tories-lost-election-result-political-obituary-legacy/
The Torres were bad and Liebor promised change Unfortunately we are seeing they are even worse at squandering tax payers money. Time for reform Smug Starmer and his pedoe mates out now.
I quote, “The ETS scheme will make journeys cleaner and we’re working with ferry companies on the grid connections in ports to enable greener vessels “
So my interpretation of that is the Govt will suggest to the power companies to install better grid connections which would imply the situation for the ferries won’t change, ie tough, you need to build fully electric ferries.
Well done Mr Quigley, you have nicely highlighted that we are literally up *hit creek.
Sir Keir Starmer said:
…
drivel – it is the power plant in the vessel that decides the levels of pollution and not some money making scheme called an ETS, which is just another way for the state to steal money from businesses
I know what an utter wanker starmer is hasn’t got a fucking clue on anything thick as shit never been on a ferry never been to isle of shite.
I saw it ..it was a pathetic attempt nothing really was said both got fobbed off with nothing going to happen…
Just went on about bloody emissions from the ferries..
Quigly Wrigley before the election said 100 days to sort the ferry service and prices out if he got in (BULL**it) This is just another money making scheme dreamt up by Racheal from accounts and Liebor. Bit like the sugar tax will put up prices but people will still use it. How are Liebor still 18% in the polls? Election now Liebor out.
Basically saying we will look into providing electric charging points but Shi**link and Dead Funnel must supply the ferries or pay the charge. Even Wrigley Quigly must no this is not going to happen any time soon . Complete waste of everyone’s time.
A maximum of 1280 more days of Liebor.Hopefully a lot less with early general election.Quigley the clock is ticking your days are numbered as an MP reform now 43% in west wight v Liebor on17% tick tick.