SCOTLAND OFFICE CALLOUSLY DISMISSES NORTH EAST FIFE TOURISM JOBS

Rod Campbell, SNP candidate for North East Fife has slammed the
Scotland Office’s “appalling ignorance” of the impact of the UK
Government’s policy on Scotland’s rural economy.

During this week’s Scottish Questions, Labour Minister Ann McKechin
dismissed the problems facing small self-catering businesses by the
proposed withdrawal of Furnished Holiday Letting Relief.

Under the Furnished Holiday Letting Relief scheme people who rent our
chalets and self-catering homes are eligible for a range of tax
concessions.

Abolishing this vital tax break would have a massive impact on tourism
business across North East Fife.

Commenting, Rod Campbell said:

“It’s appalling that the Minister would be so scathing about the
livelihoods of 6000 tourism workers and their families.

“She seemed to believe that because relatively few people were
involved, it was OK to undermine their businesses. I don’t think the
6000 people who own self catering businesses across Scotland, many of
whom live in this area, would agree. These businesses are the bottom
line for many families and the Minister’s disregard for their
livelihoods will not sit well.

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

“The Minister needs to get her facts straight and look at the sensible
tax neutral alternative proposals that have been put forward before
these changes cause irreparable damage to the rural economy of
Scotland.

“Is she prepared to throw away thousands of jobs in the teeth of a
recession rather than consider alternative views?”

www.nefsnp.org