Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has described a decision to impose further regulations on short-term lets as a “severe blow to the hospitality sector” in his region.

Mr Cameron spoke after MSPs voted last night to introduce a new licencing scheme for short-term lets. The measure was opposed by Scottish Conservatives but supported by members of the SNP-Green Government

The Scottish Conservative MSP said:

“Once again, no account is being made of the severe and disproportionate impact this measure will have on the Highlands and Islands.

“The result of this will be more bureaucracy for small businesses across my region, especially those involved in self-catering. After the last two years they have endured, some may just give up, with all the consequences that will have for jobs and livelihoods.

“It is particularly pernicious that SNP-Green ministers refused to engage with industry bodies such as the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), or made any effort to understand the impact their proposals could have.

“This will be a stark blow to the hospitality sector of the Highlands and Islands and underlines how remote SNP and Green politicians in Holyrood are from people in rural Scotland, given this policy is designed to suit urban areas in the Central Belt.”