Glen Sannox and Hull 802 delays: FOI release

Information requested

1. The reasons Glen Sannox and hull 802 have been delayed
2. Where the further £6m costs come from?
3. How many people working for Ferguson Marine were paid a bonus and how much was each person paid?
4. Were the bonus payments legal?
5. Who authorised the bonus payments?
6. Are the engines in fully running order?
7. Is there any possibility that the ferries will never sail?
8. How many working days were lost due to sickness in the last year at the yard, how many people are working on the ferries each week to complete the work?
9. How often does the Scottish Government check on the progress of the work been carried out?

Response

1. The reasons Glen Sannox and hull 802 have been delayed

This information is already in the public domain following the CEO’s quarterly update to the NZET committee on 16 March 2023. It is therefore exempt under Section 25(1) of FOISA. 20230316_fmpg_update.pdf (parliament.scot)

2. Where the further £6m costs come from?

This information is already in the public domain following a Statement by the DFM to Parliament on 16 March 2023 and a letter from DFM to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the same date. It is therefore exempt under Section 25(1) of FOISA. SG - Gaelic - Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery (parliament.scot)

3. How many people working for Ferguson Marine were paid a bonus and how much was each person paid?

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. If you require further details regarding these payments, you may want to submit a request to Ferguson Marine who should be able to advise you further as this is purely a matter for Ferguson Marine. However please note that this information is already freely available and in the public domain in the annual accounts for Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow Ltd. This can be accessed via the Companies House website.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/

4. Were the bonus payments legal?

The CEO of Ferguson Marine as the Accountable Officer is expected to follow all applicable guidance and legislation when considering the use of public funds, this includes the guidance set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) and the legislation contained in the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2020.

This is purely a matter for Ferguson Marine as no one in Scottish Government was asked to authorise these payments.

5. Who authorised the bonus payments?

The Scottish Government has been advised that the bonus payments were authorised by the Ferguson Marine Remuneration Committee. The Scottish Government was not asked to authorise these payments, or informed of them in advance. If you want further details regarding these payments and how they were authorised, you may want to submit a request to Ferguson Marine who should be able to advise you further on your request.

6. Are the engines in fully running order?

This information is already in the public domain and is therefore exempt under Section 25(1) of FOISA. 20230316_fmpg_update.pdf (parliament.scot)

7. Is there any possibility that the ferries will never sail?

Scottish Government Ministers have said consistently that they are committed to ensuring that we provide the lifeline ferries that are so desperately needed. We know that this determination is shared by the workforce at FMPG as well the communities that the ferries will serve.

We expect the MV Glen Sannox to come into service later this year as the Deputy First Minister advised Parliament on in his statement on the 16th of March. Calmac are already actively recruiting crew and alongside Transport Scotland and CMAL they are planning for the vessel coming into service on the Arran route – initially operating out of Troon.

8. How many working days were lost due to sickness in the last year at the yard, how many people are working on the ferries each week to complete the work?

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. If you require further details regarding sickness and how many people are working on the ferries each week, you may want to submit a request to Ferguson Marine who should be able to advise you further.

9. How often does the Scottish Government check on the progress of the work been carried out?

Scottish Government officials have ongoing dialogue with the Senior Management Team at Ferguson Marine on progress towards delivery of 801 and 802 along with CMAL who provide technical advice to the Scottish Government on programme progress.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.