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Month: May 2019

Show your support for the Heart of Scotland Appeal

Posted on by Melanie Allen

Help take on Scotland’s biggest killer

Join Leisuredays insurance in supporting charity, Heart Research UK, in their appeal to take on Scotland’s biggest killer.

Did you know, on average, 41 people a day die from cardiovascular disease?!

The charity has launched the Heart of Scotland Appeal under the banner, Raised by Scotland, Raised for Scotland  in a bid to raise and spend money on pioneering medical research to take on heart disease and help Scottish people live longer lives.

Here at Leisuredays insurance, Heart Research UK is one of our chosen charities and over the last 10 years we’ve raised more than £100,000 for the charity through our Paperless Policy initiative, and taking part in fundraising events like the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride and Great North Run. It supports our “care completely” value and we’ve also generated some positive publicity as a result.

It would be great if you could show your support in backing the Heart of Scotland appeal and help the charity raise much-needed funds to help in the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease in Scotland.

From selling pin-badges, designed by Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane, to becoming a corporate partner like ourselves, there are lots of ways your business could help. Plus, it’s a great way to showcase your company values and you’ll be joining other partners like Aberdeen Standards Investments and Shetland Fishermen’s Association.

Ways to get involved

To find out more or to discuss how you can get involved:

Visit www.heartofscotland.org.uk

Call 0113 234 7474

Email corporate@heartresearch.org.uk

STA Press Statement re APD (Air Passenger Duty)

Posted on by Melanie Allen

Tourism industry fury as Scottish Government abandons APD manifesto pledge

The Scottish Tourism Alliance, the representative body for Scotland’s tourism industry has described the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will not proceed with its promise to cut APD by at least 50% as a significant blow to the future growth and sustainability of the sector.

Scotland’s tourism industry is committed to and already playing an active role in delivering sustainable solutions in response to the climate change challenges in front of us. The STA is also supportive of policy that is sensible and well balanced to ensure that Scotland delivers its commitment to tackling the current climate emergency, however abandoning policy to reduce APD in its entirety is in our view, a harmful political decision and one that will significantly inhibit Scotland’s economic growth potential.

As we develop our future tourism strategy we are very conscious of the ever increasing need to attract visitors from further afield and shift the current mix of c75% domestic visitor market reliance.  It is already proven that these new and growing international audiences are the highest spenders, especially visitors from long haul destinations to Scotland.  Growing our international market is even more important as we approach our EU exit date; Scotland can no longer rely on the European and domestic market to grow a healthy visitor economy, one which is currently constrained.

Also being as attractive as possible for international investment and open, competitive and accessible in this way is crucial for the long-term growth of Scotland’s wider economy as all communities benefit from tourism and many rely on it.

The Scottish Government committed to cutting APD by 50% during this term in office, this has been delayed three times and that promise now abandoned.  This policy would have been a gamechanger for Scotland’s tourism industry and a huge boost to our economy and indeed public finance and employment. This, coupled with the recent agreement to legislate to introduce a tourism tax causes huge concern throughout the industry.

The Scottish Tourism Alliance has requested a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, the Finance Secretary and Scotland’s First Minister to discuss what additional support for the sector can be made available at this point and to communicate the reality of our current trading conditions, which for many in the sector is not as “thriving” as Mr Mackay suggests.

ends