News / In brief – 8 April 2010
Carmichael welcomes tax back-down
News that the government has dropped its controversial tax hike on furnished holiday lettings has been welcomed by northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael.
The LibDem MP said: “This is a welcome reprieve for local businesses in a vitally important sector of our local economy but it is not yet a final victory. It is clear that if Labour is re-elected then they will try to bring these changes back.”
“Changing the tax rules for owners of self catering accommodation businesses could do significant damage to our local economy.
“This reprieve is good news for the tourism industry in the Northern Isles and a great campaign success for all of those who opposed the Government’s plans since their announcement in 2009.”
New helpline for cat welfare group
THE Shetland Branch of Cats Protection has launched a new telephone helpline.
Anyone in Shetland who wishes to give a cat a home, requires the branch’s help with a cat welfare issue, has lost or found a cat, would like a neutering voucher or would simply like to volunteer to help the branch can now call 01595 840 588.
A spokesperson said: “We realise that it’s always much better to connect with a human voice on the other end of the line, but since the branch is run entirely by volunteers we unfortunately do not have the resources for that.”
Last year, the branch successfully re-homed 79 cats, reunited ten lost cats with their owners and neutered 134 cats during its free neutering campaign.
To finance the branch’s work, a series of fund-raising activities are planned for this year, commencing on Saturday with the Spring Fair at the Town Hall from 2pm until 4pm.
North Boats updated
NorthLink is to host a reception on board the Hrossey in Lerwick harbour next Monday to celebrate the publication of “Passage to the Northern Isles: Ferry Services to Orkney and Shetland 1790 – 2010” by the Isle of Man specialist publishing house Ferry Publications.
The new 96-page book is a revised and updated version of The North Boats by the late Alastair McRobb.
This new edition, compiled by Miles Cowsill and Colin Smith, takes as its starting point the definitive McRobb edition but is brought completely up to date with many of the sections revised and with the addition of many previously unpublished photographs.
Mr Cowsill said: “We hope to give the reader an insight into ferry travel from bygone days and bring them right up to modern times through the P&O Scottish Ferries era and on to the service as it exists today with NorthLink.”
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