Airport costs are plane crazy as Scots get financially hammered again
In a week when UK inflation was confirmed as rising again, it seems like Scots are getting hammered financially every way they turn. The Labour Government has boosted the minimum wage, the state pension and welfare spending has risen overall.
But that can't undo the explosion in the cost of living in the immediate. aftermath of Tory austerity and the coronavirus pandemic. Wages have not kept pace, interest rates caused mortgages to soar and ordinary households have been hit by soaring fuel bills.
At this time of year, those fortunate enough to enjoy a summer holiday abroad leave their worries at home for a week or two as they fly off to warmer climes. But Scots travellers are in for one final cost-of-living blow before they can even step on their plane.
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports are among those in the UK which have increased drop-off charges. An absurd fee for stopping for less than a minute.
Edinburgh Airport raised the charges by £1, with Glasgow Airport adding 50p, bringing the charge for both airports to £6. It might not seem like much – until you consider most of the busiest EU airports have no equivalent charges.
It's another reminder of just how expensive it is to live in the UK. And how those who own our major infrastructure – like airports, energy firms and banks – often treat the public with contempt.
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Teens get a voice
The UK Government is right to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote in general elections. The voting age was lowered in Scotland for the 2014 independence referendum.
It was made permanent a year later and contributed to a much higher number of people getting out to vote at the 2016 and 2021 Holyrood elections. It works as a way of increasing participation and interest in politics.
At 16, young people can leave school, get a job and pay taxes. In Scotland, they can get married and join the Armed Forces. They contribute to our country so ought to have a say on where the money they are taxed on is spent.
As the American revolutionaries said during the late 18th century: 'No taxation without representation.' The result of the general election has a huge impact on their future, so they deserve to have a voice.
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