THE Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has hit out at First Minister Humza Yousaf over the Scottish Government’s treatment of Scotland’s £867m self-catering industry.
The body, which represents over 1,700 members, repeatedly flagged concerns about the costly and onerous nature of short-term let licensing but has been casually dismissed by Scottish Ministers – despite the importance of the sector to Scotland’s tourist economy.
Shortly before becoming leader of the SNP, the ASSC were promised a meeting with Humza Yousaf. Given the indifference shown by Ministers and officials over the government’s botched scheme, the ASSC escalated the matter and took up the First Minister’s offer. However, the ASSC failed to receive a reply from the First Minister’s office.
The Scottish Government was previously criticised for failing to appoint a dedicated Minister for Tourism, something only rectified in the June reshuffle. The ASSC were hopeful that a ‘reset’ in government business relations, as well as the New Deal for Business, would help iron out the many flaws in the government’s licensing scheme but regrettably this has not come to pass.
In a recent ASSC survey of around 1,270 short-term let businesses, more than 60% of operators report they have yet to apply for a licence. Moreover, according to the Scottish Government’s own figures, only 16% of the estimated short-term lets have applied – and with a mere 34 working days until the deadline, just 8% have been granted a licence. Due to the regulatory burden, many operators have already left the sector – more are expected to follow due to the impact of the regulations.
Many of the unintended consequences now coming to fruition were first articulated by the ASSC years ago. In June, City of Edinburgh Council’s licensing scheme was deemed to be unlawful at the Court of Session and another Judicial Review, this time on planning policy, is expected. Further legal challenges in other local authority areas are anticipated.
The ASSC wants to meet with the First Minister as soon as possible to help save jobs and livelihoods in the self-catering sector and work to put in place a fair, lawful and proportionate regulatory framework.
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:
“This is unfortunately the latest example of the casual disregard the Scottish Government shown towards the tourism industry. They failed to appoint a dedicated Tourism Minister but when they did, they’ve put their fingers in their ears when our sector has expressed concern about licensing.
All of our outstanding concerns and alternative regulatory approaches were recently brushed aside by Ministers. We’re meant to have a New Deal for Business but it appears to be the same old same old approach from the Scottish Government, hitting small businesses and rural areas in the pocket.
With the clock ticking down to the licensing deadline, we need a sense of urgency and not complacency. Another policy disaster is set to unfold and we sincerely hope the First Minister can get round the table before it is too late.”
