BLUNT WORDS FOR WIGHTLINK AS COUNCILLORS SLAM JOB LOSS PROPOSALS

Disquiet has been expressed by political leaders at the Isle of Wight Council over proposed job cuts at ferry firm Wightlink.

Conservative group leader Councillor Ed Blake and Council Leader Phil Jordan, who heads up the Alliance group, have spoken out following confirmation last week that up to 50 jobs are at risk at the cross-Solent operator, as first reported by Island Echo.

Wightlink has said rising costs and inflationary pressures are in part to blame for the proposed cuts which are likely to affect operational staff roles.

Cllr Jordan has said:

“Ferry services are not a luxury for the Isle of Wight — they are a lifeline, essential for residents, businesses, and healthcare access.

“The introduction of dynamic pricing risks turning the service into one that many cannot afford, while reports of reduced sailings only compound the problem.

“The company’s proposal to cut 50 staff raises a serious conundrum: how can service levels be maintained with fewer people to run vessels safely and reliably?

“Unlike rail or air, ferries face virtually no regulation, leaving Islanders exposed. Without stronger oversight, the Island’s connectivity and resilience are being placed at risk whilst residents and visitors endure reduced services and higher prices.”

He added that he was not convinced the ferry service model of ownership is satisfactory or of benefit to Islanders.

Cllr Blake has said:

“The losing of any job is a huge deal for the employees involved and this will be hard news to take for them.

“I question the motives for these job cuts though as Wightlink have used a lack of required staff members as a reason for sailing cancellations, so they are obviously in need of all their workforce.

“The business model includes huge debt repayments to the parent company at high interest rates and I suggest that is where Wightlink should be looking to make savings.”

In a statement last week, Wightlink said:

“This project is needed to modernise and improve efficiency, so we have the right people in the right places at the right times.

“Like many businesses, rising costs and inflationary pressures are having an impact with our cost growth being twice that of our revenue growth over the past year.

“We hope to deliver the proposal through a voluntary process, and the suggested changes include no reduction in sailings on any route.”