WHAT he describes as the "appalling ignorance" of the Scottish Office has been slammed by Angus MP Mike Weir, who is worried about the impact of the UK Government's policy on the rural economy of Angus.
Mr Weir, the SNP spokesperson on business and enterprise, has been campaigning on the impact of proposed changes in tax rules relating to small self-catering tourist businesses following approaches by concerned businesses in Angus.
He raised the p
roblems at Scotland Office Questions, only for these concerns to be dismissed by Scotland Office Minister Ann McKechin.
Mr Weir said: "The Minister displayed appalling ignorance of the problems facing small holiday letting businesses in Angus and other rural areas of Scotland. In her answer she clearly did not understand the difference between such businesses and bed and breakfast and hotel businesses.
"She also seemed to believe that because relatively few people were involved, it was OK to undermine their businesses. There are at least 6,000 of these businesses in Scotland, including many in Angus. Is she prepared to throw away thousands of jobs in the teeth of a recession rather than consider alternative views?
"Small holiday letting businesses are a vital part of our rural economy – providing employment and custom to other local businesses.
"The sensible alternative proposals that have been put forward to deal with the problem of the European ruling are both tax neutral and support the industry. They should be looked at by the Treasury as a matter of urgency before these changes cause irreparable damage to our local economy."
