SNP Budget confirms extension of RET ‘pilot’ until 2015

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has hit out at the SNP’s decision to extend the Road Equivalent Tariff to the Western Isles for another four years.

The announcement was made yesterday by finance secretary John Swinney as part of the Scottish Budget.

Mr McArthur said: “These are tough times. Few would envy the finance secretary some of the choices he has faced in finalising his budget.

“All the more reason why people in Orkney will be flabbergasted by the SNP’s decision to extend Road Equivalent Tariff to the Western Isles until 2015.

“So much for the so-called ‘pilot’ scheme. By the end of this spending review, it will have cost around £40 million and lasted for seven years.

“While there are plans to extend cheaper ferry fares to the Argyll islands, the Northern Isles are again set to miss out.”