KINGLASSIE MSP Jenny Gilruth has welcomed a move by the UK Government to tackle nuisance calls as it finally adopts the provisions proposed by SNP MP Patricia Gibson nearly two years ago.

Bosses of firms which bombard people with nuisance sales calls could now be fined up to £500,000 under Government proposals to make them personally liable. At the moment, only the companies themselves are liable for fines of up to £500,000 if they break the law.

Commenting the MSP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife said:

“The introduction of these measures against nuisance calls have been a very long time coming.

"Many of my constituents in the Glenrothes and Mid Fife area have been troubled with nuisance calls making their lives a misery.

"I am sure they will be as pleased as I am to finally see real action being taken to prevent the calls."

Ms Gilruth added: "These communications can be particularly disturbing for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“The UK Government have eventually lived up to their commitment to adopt the recommendations proposed in my SNP colleague’s Bill - including legislating to make company directors personally responsible for nuisance calls.

“Bosses of nuisance call operations could now be fined up to £500,000 hopefully helping to end the scourge of these calls many people in Glenrothes face.”

The SNP’s Consumer Affair’s spokesperson at Westminster, Patricia Gibson MP, has continually pushed the UK Government on this issue and introduced a Bill on nuisance calls in 2016.

The UK Government agreed at this stage to fully adopt the recommendations proposed and bring legislation forward to come into force by Spring 2017, making directors personally responsible for their company’s actions, should it be involved in making nuisance calls.