After sustained pressure from the Scottish Conservative and Unionists, the SNP have performed a humiliating u-turn over rates relief for the newspaper industry. Cllr Struan Mackie who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness said "I welcome the change of heart from the Scottish Government who seemed willing to allow local journalism to go to the wall" "The rates relief package will go some way to protecting the vitally important work that journalist do in holding politicians and government to account and ensuring that the public are informed of current events".