Industry urges Scottish government for business rates relief

UKHospitality Scotland, The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) are jointly calling on Scotland's deputy first minister and acting finance secretary John Swinney to help hospitality businesses survive this winter with major business rates relief in Thursday’s budget.

In a joint statement to the government, the associations say: "The hospitality industry is vital to the economy of Scotland, to local high streets and communities, but the current economic downturn and a range of other unprecedented challenges will see many unfortunately fail without meaningful intervention on business rates.

"Not only must the cabinet secretary commit to matching a freeze on the UBR in Scotland, but he must also match the support for the sector in England and Wales, where a 75% rates relief package will be in place. The sector desperately needs this to survive, to continue to provide employment for staff and remain competitive with our neighbours."

"The industry expects that the Barnett consequentials coming from Westminster will be ringfenced to support the sectors still scrambling along the road to recovery. The hospitality sector faced the brunt of the pandemic but managed to remain resilient and yet we continue to be held back, in part due to the discriminatory nature of the rating system in Scotland which disproportionately burdens the sector more than any other. This needs to be taken into consideration by the finance secretary when deciding the level of support.

"We repeat our calls for a further review of Scotland’s Commercial Rating System as soon as possible, but right now the Scottish Government must truly see the reality of the situation and lend the same support as that given to our English and Welsh counterparts."

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