First Minister urged to overturn ‘wrongheaded’ ADS decision

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur used First Ministers Questions today to urge the First Minister to accept the “compelling” case for isles businesses to get access Air Discount Scheme support.

This summer, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans), working with islands councils, commissioned a study into extending ADS to businesses.

This followed the Scottish Government’s decision, in 2011, to remove ADS support from business-related travel without any prior consultation.

Hitrans’ report confirms the adverse impact that this has had, prompting Mr McArthur to call on the First Minister to “overturn this earlier wrongheaded decision.”

Responding, Nicola Sturgeon said she would ask the Transport Minister to “look at the case put forward by Hitrans”. She added that the Scottish Government wanted the islands to be as accessible as possible for business, tourists and others.