Published Date:
14 August 2008
By Frank Urquhart
THE former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats yesterday condemned the Scottish Government's "Scrooge-like" refusal to increase compensation payments for families whose homes are to be demolished to make way for Aberdeen's new bypass.
The 28-mile road, due to be built by 2012, will involve the demolition of 13 houses and three outbuildings, and some £6 million is being spent buying houses along the route.
But Nicol Stephen, the Lib Dem MSP for Aberdeen South, said the families affected will receive a maximum additional compensation payment of only £15,000 for the inconvenience, upset and distress caused by the move – a payment that has remained unchanged for 17 years.
Mr Stephen, who is fighting for additional compensation for people in Milltimber whose homes are to be demolished, said:
"People who are losing their homes in Scotland are being treated badly by the Scottish Government. In England, the maximum is reviewed every year and now stands at £47,000."
A Scottish Government spokesman said no changes were planned after a recent review of the home-loss payment.
The full article contains 184 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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Last Updated:
13 August 2008 10:27 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
