News / MSP nails SNP on ADS
NEW information has emerged that it was the Scottish government who requested removing the popular Air Discount Scheme from business, public and voluntary groups.
Highlands and islands MSP David Stewart says he received the evidence the government initiated the approach to the European Commission after filing a Freedom of Information Act request.
The Labour MSP has now tabled a motion to the Scottish Parliament calling on the government to overturn its decision to withdraw the scheme from all but private travellers.
“It is clear from the response I received to my FoI request that the Scottish government has not been honest with the people of the highlands and islands,” Mr Stewart said.
“It was them, not Europe, who initiated the withdrawal of these elements from the scheme with the reported savings to government estimated to be just £2.7m per year.
“This is a drop in the ocean in the government’s budget and is a pure and simple cost-cutting exercise. This exercise however will have a seriously detrimental effect on some of our remote highlands and islands communities.”
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