Industry leaders in appeal to ScotGov
INDUSTRY bodies across the Scottish retail sector are urging deputy first minister John Swinney and ScotGov to match the chancellor’s rates help for retailers in England and Wales.
Jeremy Hunt agreed to provide 75% business rates relief for properties in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors for 2023/24, up to £110,000 of relief per business south of the border.
Representatives of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), the British Independent Retailers Association and the Booksellers Association signed the joint letter, highlighting the significant economic challenges facing the sector.
SGF chief exec Pete Cheema said: “The retail sector in Scotland employs close to 230,000 people and is a key player in driving economic growth, both within communities and throughout the country.
“There’s no time to lose, the Scottish Government needs to act now. Retailers in Scotland should have the same level of access to additional assistance that our counterparts in the rest of GB will have.”
SRC director David Lonsdale said: “There is a growing disquiet among smaller firms over the omission of any additional rates relief comparable to that which retailers in Wales and England can get for the coming year.”
But a ScotGov spokesperson said: “The Scottish Budget 2023/24 delivers the number one ask of the business community by freezing the poundage at 49.8p, the lowest in the UK for the fifth year in a row, saving ratepayers £308 million compared to an inflationary increase.
“This ensures that around 250,000 properties in Scotland continue to be liable for a lower property tax rate than anywhere else in the UK.
“Around half of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no rates in 2023/24 due to the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief, the most generous scheme of its kind in the UK.”
