The Scottish Government cannot guarantee that there will be no further cost increases for two delayed and overbudget ferries, MSPs have been told.

Wellbeing economy secretary Neil Gray said that while he did “not want to see a further cost overrun” for the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa – both of which are being built by the Ferguson Marine yard on the Clyde – he could not give any firm commitments on this.

“Obviously, I can’t guarantee that,” Gray told MSPs on Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.

His comments came as the committee scrutinised the Scottish Government’s budget’s for 2024-25, with MSPs told that £42.5m has been set aside for the two ferries, being built for state-owned operator CalMac, for this financial year.

Gray, who is due to meet bosses at the Port Glasgow shipyard later this week, said previous discussions with senior staff there had “emphasised there is a need for us to deliver these vessels as quickly as possible”.

The Wellbeing Economy Secretary added: “I don’t want to see any further delay.”

He also told the committee the Government was “bearing down on costs” with regards to the two vessels.

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