'Scrooge' ministers condemned over house payments

Published on Wednesday 13 August 2008 22:08

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.