MINISTER CALLOUSLY DISMISSES 6000 TOURISM JOBS

MINISTER CALLOUSLY DISMISSES 6000 TOURISM JOBS

WEIR SLAMS SCOTLAND OFFICE FOR ‘APPALLING IGNORANCE’ OF VITAL SECTOR

Mike Weir MP, SNP Spokesperson on Business and Enterprise, has slammed the Scotland Office’s “appalling ignorance” of the impact of the UK Government’s policy on Scotland’s rural economy.

Mr Weir raised the problems facing small self-catering businesses by the proposed withdrawal of Furnished Holiday Letting Relief, only for these concerns to be dismissed by Scotland Office Minister Ann McKechin.

Commenting, Mr Weir said:

“The Minister displayed appalling ignorance of the problems facing small holiday letting businesses in Scotland. In her answer she clearly did not understand the difference between such businesses and Bed and Breakfast and hotel businesses.

“She also seemed to believe that because relatively few people were involved, it was OK to undermine their businesses. There are at least 6000 of these businesses in Scotland. Is she prepared to throw away thousands of jobs in the teeth of a recession rather than consider alternative views?

“Small holiday letting businesses are a vital part of our rural economy – providing employment and custom to other local businesses.

“The sensible alternative proposals that have been put forward to deal with the problem of the European ruling are both tax neutral and support the industry. They should be looked at by the Treasury as a matter of urgency before these changes cause irreparable damage to the rural economy of Scotland.”