2 February 2012

Highlands & Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, has accused the SNP Government of playing fast and loose with the Air Discount Scheme by excluding business, public sector and charities from the scheme.

The scheme was introduced by the Labour-led Scottish Executive in 2006 to address the social and economic disadvantage suffered by communities across the Highlands and Islands as a result of the high cost of accessing lifeline air services.

However in April 2011 the Scottish Government cut any and all work-related travel from the Air Discount Scheme on the pretext that it was following demands from the European Commission.

David Stewart MSP said, "It is clear from letters I have received after my Freedom of Information request that it was the Scottish Government who initiated the approach to Europe to cut business, public and third sectors out of the ADS.

"The SNP has not been honest with the people of the Highlands & Islands.

"They tried to blame the European Commission but their fingerprints are at the scene of the crime.

"This move has taken nearly £3m out of the north economy.

"Keith Brown, the Transport Minister, needs to come clean, stop blaming Europe and accept it was a simple cost-cutting exercise."