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In relation to short term issues, we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage, including consideration of the suitability of the MV Pentalina and looking at other credible, affordable and viable options to improve resilience.

Transport Scotland (TS) and the Scottish Government Islands Team meet regularly with elected members and officers of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discuss a range of ferries issues including future planning and have also engaged on the Comhairle's Local Transport Strategy. The Comhairle were also a partner in a recent study, commissioned and funded by TS, of future options for ferry services to, from and within the Outer Hebrides. The Comhairle has produced a paper setting out proposals for ferry service improvements and future vessel investments and an initial meeting to discuss this with government officials has been arranged.

As I have confirmed to Parliament, I am open to constructive and viable suggestions for improving matters and we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage to increase resilience across the network.

Chartering an additional freight vessel for the Stornoway-Ullapool route from June to September, in order to free up deck capacity for resident and visitor vehicles, was identified as a short-term option in recent Outer Hebrides Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) study report. However, charter options for such a freight vessel have not been readily available. We would also need to carefully consider the business case around charter, purchase or new build of a vessel as part of work for the Islands Connectivity Plan.

The cause of the breakdown remains subject to ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further until that investigation is complete.

Tim Hair, Turnaround Director of Ferguson Marine, updated the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on the delivery timetable and budget for vessels 801 and 802 in March 2021. The next of the regular quarterly updates on progress, as requested by the committee in their report on ferry procurement is expected at the end of June 2021.

Phase 3 of Connecting Scotland will launch on Monday 7 June 2021.

As of 13 May 2021, 36,064 devices and 32,332 data packages have been provided. All Connecting Scotland customers have access to training and support. Interim results from our follow-up survey indicate that around half of Connecting Scotland customers found this support helpful in improving their digital skills.

A total of £48 million has been committed to reach the target of 60,000 households. The proportion allocated to each is:

(a) devices – 36%

(b) data – 54%

(c) training and support – 6%

In the next phase, Connecting Scotland will provide any or all of device, internet connection and package of support to those who are:

• digitally excluded – do not have an appropriate device and/or are not connected to the internet at home; and
• on low incomes so cannot afford to buy a device or pay for internet access (e.g. claiming or eligible for Universal Credit ); and
• are seeking support for employability (Priority will be given to organisations working with people who are likely to have been affected most by the changes to the labour market over the past year, either due to existing inequalities or redundancy. This includes: Single Parents, Women, Young people, Disabled people, Minority ethnic people, people experiencing other forms of socio-economic disadvantage)

Connecting Scotland will also provide any or all of device, internet connection and package of support to those who are:

• digitally excluded – do not have an appropriate device and/or are not connected to the internet at home; and
• on low incomes so cannot afford to buy a device or pay for internet access; and
• are isolated as a result of the pandemic, particularly single parents, older or disabled people

Connecting Scotland is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). SCVO set up and manage the application, assessment, contracting and distribution of devices. Local authorities assess applications from public and third sector services and organisations, who identify eligible customers and provide frontline Digital Champion support to end users.

A total of £26.6 million has been allocated to Phase 3, with the potential to provide 23,000 devices and data packages. Every Connecting Scotland customer is allocated a Digital Champion and has access to one on one training and support if they want it. So far a total of 2,700 Digital Champions have been trained through the programme. Interim results from our follow-up survey indicate that around half of Connecting Scotland customers found this support helpful in improving their digital skills.