UK ‘disrespectful’ to Scottish coal sector

The UK Government has been accused of showing ‘disrespect’ to coal communities in Scotland for not returning £15 million in taxes that they are owed. Scottish Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing […]

The UK Government has been accused of showing ‘disrespect’ to coal communities in Scotland for not returning £15 million in taxes that they are owed.

Scottish Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing challenged the government on returning the fees in which he claims to have, “yet to receive a substantive reply.”

It comes after the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement did not deliver any messages to give back some of the taxes that were collected over the years through coal produced in Scotland. The money would help lower the financial difficulties Local Authorities face in restoring the open cast coal sites.

Speaking at the last Scottish Open Cast Mining Taskforce, Mr Ewing said: “These monies could go some way to assist in reducing the financial burden that our local authorities are feeling across Scotland due to the huge costs of restoration.”

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