TOURISM AND BUSINESS CHIEFS WELCOME SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
The substantial package of rates relief confirmed by SNP Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has received widespread support from across the business and tourism sectors – with commerce chiefs offering their backing to the relief proposals.
Many hotels, cafes, pubs and restaurants were set to see their rates rise substantially following the revaluation by independent assessors – but the relief package announced yesterday will ensure that businesses in this sector will not have any rise in their rates capped at 12.5%. Offices across the North East and Scotland’s renewables sector will also benefit from tailored rates caps.
The measures are part of a package that extends the eligibility for the small business bonus to 100,000 premises, ensuring that more businesses pay no rates at all, whilst the poundage has been cut by 3.7% to reduce the bills burden for many and support those that have seen revaluations.
In West Dunbartonshire around three quarters of rateable businesses (2,855 approx) will see their rates frozen or reduced with £200,000 of rates relief being granted to hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafes across the constituency.
The package has brought a positive response across Scottish industry, with Chambers of Commerce across the country stating their support for the measures. The announcement was also supported by the Scottish Tourism Alliance, as well as organisations in the Scottish renewable energy sector.
Commenting, SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire, Martin Docherty-Hughes, said:
“The support that the SNP’s rates relief scheme has received since the announcement shows just how substantial and beneficial they will be to businesses in my constituency and across Scotland.
“This support package will ensure that our pubs, hotels, restaurants and cafes don’t see their rates rise by over 12.5% this year, something that has been welcomed by industry bodies across Scotland.
“The praise from tourism bodies shows that the support package will provide effective relief to businesses up and down the country – and having chased cheap headlines and soundbites on this issue, it proves once and for all just how politically motivated the opposition Tories are in their rhetoric.”
