RET and rises in business rates

2.00.00pm GMT Thu 11th Mar 2010

Commenting following todays FMQs local Liberal Democrat PPC Jean Davis said:- "Tavish's point is that everyone should be treated fairly.

"The SNP Government shouldn't play off one group against another like this.

"Few people will think it is fair for people in Argyll & Bute to have to pay many times inflation in order to keep our RET pilot going.

"In my view the RET pilot was a political bribe to win support for the SNP in the Western Isles. Great for us in the short term but in the longer term a coherent policy will be needed for all island communities. Of course the decision may have to be made by a government other than the SNP.

"Tavish went on to highlight the increase in business rates for hotels served by Calmac. These rates will affect hotels in the Western Isles. I believe the Caladh in Stornoway for example will suffer an immediate 86% increase. In England this will be introduced over time. Here in Scotland the SNP have not considered the needs of our tourist industry.

"Alex Salmond’s response to Tavish's question showed his lack of interest in rural areas and rural economies. If England can mitigate the effects of this rate increase surely a Nationalist Government in Scotland can consider the needs of their own industry.

"Tavish Scott has been campaigning to support tourist businesses - hotels and the ferry routes to them - at question time for the last two weeks."