Scottish groups lobby against Furnished Holiday Lettings changes
Scottish groups lobby against Furnished Holiday Lettings changes
A Scottish tourism group is appealing against the repeal of the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) rules. Opponents to the changes fear that "immense damage" will be caused to local economies as a result.
The Great Glen Tourism Marketing Group is asking its members to write to local MP Charles Kennedy in protest at the changes, reports the Lochaber News. The repeal of the FHL rules from 2010 means that owners of holiday letting accommodation will no longer benefit from tax relief.
"It could cause immense damage to the local economy, with businesses closing down and tourism numbers slumping as a result," said a spokesman for the group. "We can't understand how it has been decided that people operating...self-catering units are not businesses."
The Association of Scottish Self-Caterers also fears the impact on
cottages in Scotland and the country's tourism industry. "There is an annual spend of £302m...so it really is a big business. The planned changes could mean less investment and fewer visitors as a result," chairman David Smith told the paper.
VisitScotland has also joined the campaign and feels that the UK government should delay the introduction of the changes "until the implications for Scottish tourism have been examined in full". Meanwhile, MP Kennedy has described the situation as "potentially very damaging". He has also backed a parliamentary motion, supported by 64 MPs, urging a review of the plans before any changes are made.
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