Charities paying the price as minister fails to deliver changes to ADS — McArthur

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has written to the transport minister again, urging him to reverse the cuts to the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) that are having a damaging effect on local businesses, charities, voluntary organisations and the public sector.

Mr McArthur said: “Last May, the SNP Government chose to remove all work-related travel from the Air Discount Scheme.  At a stroke, this increased, by 40 per cent, the cost of flying for islands-based businesses, charities, voluntary organisations and the public sector.”

He added: “I have written again to the transport minister, repeating my calls for a re-think on a decision that has already led to a reduction in lifeline air services between Orkney and Inverness.  I have urged him, at the very least, to make good his promise to look again at the specific case of local charities and voluntary organisations and to act as a matter of urgency.”