Highland MSP slams Scottish Government 'snub' of short-term let protestors amid concerns of threat to businesses
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has given his support to self-caterers, B&B operators and guesthouse owners campaigning against the SNP/Green government’s introduction of new "regulatory burdens" on the sector.
Mr Halcro Johnston, who is the Scottish Conservative’s deputy spokesperson on Rural Affairs and a former Shadow Minister for Tourism, met with protestors outside Holyrood this afternoon, and warned the new regulations could decimate the tourism sector across the Highlands and Islands.
READ ALSO: Less than a month to get STL applications in
Highland Council warned licensing may be legally unsound
Mr Halcro Johnston said: "I was pleased to stand with protesters outside the Scottish Parliament. Each one of them has a story that deserves to be heard.
"The Scottish Government's new regulations don't just inconvenience operators, they fundamentally threaten their businesses and their household incomes. They could decimate the sector across the Highlands and Islands, one which is still recovering from the Covid pandemic and is still challenged by the cost-of-living crisis.
"Many owners are only running their operations to make a little extra money or supplement their salaries or pensions. Now they are being asked to jump through multiple hoops – with potentially thousands of pounds of additional costs – just to keep doing what some have done for decades.
“But despite this, and despite repeated warnings over the impact of their plans, not one SNP or Green minister cared enough to leave their plush offices and come outside Parliament to hear first-hand the potential damage from the actual people their legislation is hurting.
“It really speaks volumes about where the Scottish Government's priorities lie”.
Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “Quality short-term let accommodation is vital to Scotland’s tourism sector and wider economy. It aims to protect the reputation of responsible operators and ensure the sector is regulated in line with other accommodation such as hotels and caravan parks, giving guests assurance of consistent safety standards.
“There has been a lead time of almost two years to the October deadline."
What do you think? Are you applying for a licence or have you decided to leave the sector? Do you support the need for regulation or see it as unnecessary? Get in touch by emailing newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
