The leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, has said he is 'baffled' that a solution has not been found to the challenges of Isle of Wight-Southampton ferry travel.

In a statement on Monday, Sir Keir said a Labour Government would ask the Competition and Markets Authority to look at intervening with Red Funnel and Wightlink.

He said: "Labour is committed to finding a solution to the issues with Wightlink and Red Funnel.

"Labour would ask the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to look at the situation, and whether intervention is needed." 

The CMA is a non-ministerial Government body tasked with strengthening competition in business.

It comes as challenger firm - New Forest-based Fluid.taxi - hopes to take custom from the two ferry companies Wightlink and Red Funnel with a new service.

Fluid is running services between Lymington Town Quay and Yarmouth.

Red Funnel recently announced it has plans to bring in new ferries for its beleaguered services.