Shetland Jobs hit by Nationalist Shipping Tax

Shetland businesses have contacted Shetland MSP Tavish Scott over the Scottish Government’s hike in shipping fares. Last Friday the Nationalist Government announced an eye watering above inflation 6.5% fare rise from April 1st. Within days, Tavish Scott has received concerns from all parts of Shetland and across industries and local companies saying this massive hike will hit the Shetland economy. He is now tabling Parliamentary Questions asking why Nationalist Ministers are hitting the local economy so hard.

Tavish Scott said, “This Nationalist Government fares hike doesn’t make sense. Inflation is set to fall next year so Shetland people could pay fares at twice the level of inflation for next summers holiday on the boat. Local businesses point out that this fares hike will push up the cost of everything in Shetland. Cornflakes, building materials and agricultural supplies will all be more expensive. There is no part of the local economy not affected by shipping costs. Shetland’s exports of quality fresh fish, salmon, mussels and livestock will all be hit making our products more expensive and less competitive in the marketplace. On behalf of all these local interests, I am asking the Nationalist Government to explain their decision and the basis for the 6.5% hike.

“What local people really don’t understand is why Shetland is being hammered with a 6.5% rise when ferry fares on Scotland’s west coast are being cut. That looks like double standards. Nor are mainland Scotland rail commuters facing a 6.5% rise in rail fares. It looks like this Nationalist Government wouldn’t dare risk the wrath of lawyers and trade unionists on the Glasgow – Edinburgh Express but simply doesn’t care about Islanders.”