Industry leaders’ plea to Robison over Scottish budget
SOME 35 leading industry bodies have jointly written to ScotGov Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary Shona Robison asking her to freeze the business rate in 2024-25.
Among the signatories are David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, Pete Cheema, chief exec of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, and Hussan Lal, Scottish president of the Fed.
Colin Smith, chief exec of the Scottish Wholesale Association, and David Thomson, who heads up Food & Drink Federation Scotland, also signed the letter.
The collective call comes ahead of the unveiling of the Scottish Government’s budget on 19 December. Scotland’s business rate is already at a 24-year high and a fifth higher than at the start of the previous decade.
If increased in line with inflation, this could see ratepayers face an extra £205million on their bills from next spring.
Lonsdale said the message from “a formidable cross-section of representatives of industry and commerce” showed how challenging the economic environment is.
He added: “We hope Ms Robison will take heed and act in her budget to protect Scottish businesses and jobs.”
A ScotGov spokesperson said: “Scotland already has the lowest poundage rate in the UK, after freezing it as part of the 2023-24 budget.
“Any decisions for 2024-25 will be made as part of the Scottish budget process.
“In the meantime, the Scottish Government will continue to do all it can to support businesses in response to the cost-of-living crisis, including pressing the UK Government for support with high energy bills.
“The New Deal for Business Group, which has wide representation from the business community, also continues to consider issues regarding non-domestic rates.”
