Business blast over air scheme Euro talks
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A LOCAL business leader has blasted the Scottish Government, accusing it of discrimination against Far North firms.
Caithness Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Trudy Morris hit out after it was revealed that a plan to review the vital Air Discount Scheme will not include businesses.
The Government is to hold talks with the European Commission to allow charities to use the 40 per cent discount on flights from the North to airports in Scotland. But it is not pushing for businesses to be included.
Business, public and third-sector groups were barred from using the ADS scheme last year after the EC said that it was intended for the use of individuals only and not work-related travel.
Ms Morris said that if the region is to be attractive to future investment, it is vital that businesses have affordable access to the Far North.
"I’m not sure how the Scottish Government can make a distinction between charities and third-sector organisations as the latter are businesses in their own right, so to exclude other businesses is discrimination," she said.
"The Air Discount Scheme is vital to the sustainability of Wick Airport and the island communities. We have always argued that to maintain social inclusion and sustainable communities here you also need sustainable business that has access to markets and affordable connectivity."
However, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Rob Gibson hit back by saying the scheme was never meant for work-related travel.
But he did say that third-sector organisations deserved to be eligible for ADS for the services they provide, and he welcomed the discussions.
"I have had discussions with transport minister Keith Brown regarding the discount scheme for named companies as people were using it for business purposes.
"Unfortunately charities and voluntary sectors were caught up in this problem due to the rules set by the EC.
"There has never been a bar on individuals registering for the scheme and using it, so in some ways it is just a mere technicality.
"It is not a question of discrimination as you have to look at the European rules on how much money is used supporting internal transport and interfering with the market.
"The scheme is not the final solution in solving problems with the economy, but it is a small step for those who are worthy of consideration."
The ADS scheme was introduced in 2006 to tackle the problem of high prices in the remotest communities in the Highlands and Islands by providing a discount of 40 per cent on the core air fare on eligible routes.
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland confirmed that the Government is preparing for talks with the EC to discuss if third-sector groups could be eligible again.
"The Scottish Government is aware of the concerns of the third sector organisations in relation to ADS," she said.
"That is why we have raised this with the European Commission and will enter discussions with local groups."
The news has been welcomed by the voluntary sector in the county.
Wick-based Caithness Voluntary Group development officer Niall Smith said that organisations are having a tough time maintaining services and unless more help is offered many could disappear.
"Third-sector organisations in Caithness are in a bad way at the moment as many funding streams have dried up," he said.
"For the past three years we have seen consecutive annual cuts – as minimal a cut as 10 per cent to funding is enough to shut down a service.
"A lot of training, exhibitions and seminars takes place south of here and people working in the voluntary sector have to fly to places to attend these.
"If we want to have a voice then we have to travel to these events, but due to the cost some organisations can’t afford to attend and, without any form of discount, air travel from Wick is not an affordable option."
