... ER, THAT’S SAME PR FIRM PAID TO ARGUE OPPOSITE CASE!
THE same PR firm being paid by taxpayers to promote Low Emission Zones is also representing a trade body which opposes the scheme.
BIG Partnership has received £730,000 from Transport Scotland to promote the LEZ project. Yet, astonishingly, the same company is also paid to handle public relations for Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the group which ‘champions all businesses across all sectors in the city and the region’.
When the Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive, Stuart
Patrick, wanted to raise objections to LEZs, BIG Partnership issued a statement on his behalf. Despite being paid by the public purse to promote LEZs, the PR firm said: ‘While we generally welcome and encourage policies supporting a just transition to net zero, the LEZ policy has the potential to negatively impact the recovery of the city centre.’
It also said the crackdown ‘may reduce discretionary travel and increase displacement to out-of-town shopping centres’, adding: ‘We support concerns from the taxi sector.
‘Equally, those who work outside of traditional working hours such as in the hospitality, retail and healthcare sectors could face even more barriers in travelling to and from their work.’