Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Jeremy Balfour for Lothian has slammed the SNP-Green coalition for voting through a new licencing scheme for short-term lets.
Jeremy Balfour has described the new regulations on small businesses in Lothian as illogical and the last thing they need at this time.
Jeremy Balfour says SNP-Green Ministers have consistently failed to listen to concerns from small businesses and the wider industry, even when many organisations quit the Scottish Government’s own working group in August.
He says that the SNP-Green coalition have taken a typical “we-know-best” attitude towards the scheme, and many small businesses in Lothian are now at risk of going under.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Jeremy Balfour said: “This scheme is completely misguided yet SNP-Green Ministers have ploughed on despite widespread opposition to it.
“That is typical of them treating small businesses in Lothian as an afterthought.
“As we recover from the pandemic in Lothian, the SNP-Green coalition should be prioritising their recovery, rather than hitting them with further regulations like this.
“This will only put jobs and livelihoods at risk, yet the local SNP MSPs refused to listen to concerns and shamefully voted to pass this damaging scheme regardless.
“I was proud to stand in opposition to these plans and I will continue to stand up for the interests of small businesses in Lothian, in sharp contrast to the SNP-Green Government.”
