The SNP stand accused of “crippling Scottish businesses” by failing to pass on the rates relief that’s available to firms south of the border.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher will highlight the huge, and needless, strain businesses face during a campaign visit to Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale today (Monday).
SNP leader John Swinney and his deputy Kate Forbes – both former finance secretaries – have been instrumental in the decision of the Nationalist government not to replicate the full 75% business rates relief scheme put in place by the UK Chancellor, despite being provided with the funds to do so.
This has been criticised by Scottish businesses, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors, who are struggling as a result.
Meghan Gallacher says the SNP’s “anti-business agenda” is all the more galling for firms located close to the border, as they can see the benefits rates relief has provided to their peers in England.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: “The SNP Government are crippling Scottish businesses by failing to pass on the rates relief available to firms south of the border.
“The UK Government has provided the funding for them to do so, yet Kate Forbes, John Swinney and Shona Robison have chosen not to help Scottish businesses that are desperately trying to get back on their feet post-pandemic.
“The SNP’s anti-business agenda is costing jobs and livelihoods, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, because firms are operating at a competitive disadvantage.
“It’s all the more galling for Scottish businesses located close to the border, because they can see the huge godsend the Chancellor’s 75% rates relief is to their peers and rivals in England.
“The SNP’s disregard for Scottish businesses deserves to be punished on July 4. In key seats across Scotland – including Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale – that means voting Scottish Conservative, as we’re the only party capable of beating the SNP.”
Notes to editor
The UK government has extended the 75% business rates relief scheme to 2025. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, confirmed in the Autumn Statement that the 75% relief in non-domestic rates for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) businesses, with a cap of £110,000, has been extended until 2025. (UK Government, 15 December 2023, link).
The 2023-24 Scottish budget took a “hardline” approach to businesses according to the Fraser of Allander Institute. In its analysis of the budget, the Fraser of Allander Institute noted that they were surprised at the approach to business relief that Kate Forbes took but that in 2022, "John Swinney has seemingly taken an even more hardline approach and there are no additional reliefs applied to hospitality and retail as is the case south of the border.” (Fraser of Allander Institute, 15 December 2022, link; Scottish Government Budget: 2023-24, 15 December 2022, link).
The Scottish government has decided not to pass on the business rates relief funding from the Autumn Statement. The SNP have determined not to pass on the £320 million worth of business rates relief Scottish businesses were entitled to from the Autumn Statement. (FAI, 12 December 2023, link).