THERE are concerns over the opencast industry following the treasury’s lack of response over the Hargreaves tax break proposal according to one local MSP.

The SNP’s Adam Ingram is one of many politicians across the country have have come out in support of the Carbon Price Supports (CPS) proposal presented by the Durham-based firm.

The opencast giants claims that the tax exemption must be included in Chancellor George Osborne’s budget to be announced on July 8.

Mr Ingram said: “We’re getting a bit anxious with regards to the treasury’s lack of a response as well as Mr (David) Mundell.

“Some of the green organisations are saying that we should just get a grant from the government but I just can’t see that option happening.” Mr Ingram attended the Scottish Coal Task Force meeting - attended by the top brass in the coal industry - two weeks ago in Glasgow. The meeting was chaired by Energy Minster, Fergus Ewing andEast Ayrshire Council chiefs Douglas Reid and Fiona Lees were also in attendance.

Of the meeting, Mr Ingram said: “Everyone agreed that this would be the best solution to the problem. It’s important that this promise that was made is upheld in the budget announcement. There’s been a lot of uncertainty for many, many months.”