Councils join forces over ADS business travel withdrawal

Orkney Islands Council has joined forces with colleagues in the Western Isles and Shetland to raise concerns with the Scottish Government about its intention to restrict the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) for business travel.

Business travel was removed from the scheme in April this year.

In the last three years, due to the ADS, the three local authorities have saved a combined total of £1 million.

OIC Convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan; Angus Campbell, leader of Western Islands Council, and Josie Simpson, leader of Shetland Islands Council, have written to the Scottish Government to request a meeting with Alex Neil MSP, the cabinet secretary for Infrastructure and capital investment, and Keith Brown MSP, the minister for housing and transport, to discuss the proposals and the subsequent implications for remote island communities.