Murdo Fraser MSP has slammed the SNP Government for “failing” to support hospitality businesses in Perth and Kinross by not providing sufficient rates relief to them.
The Scottish Conservative politician said feedback from a host of bodies and groups associated with hospitality underlines their concerns with regard to lack of support from the SNP Government.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “I know many hospitality businesses in Perth and Kinross are struggling and many are angered at the decision not to extend business rates relief in Scotland. The UK Government have offered 75% business rates relief in England for the financial year 2023-24. The SNP have not offered this support in Scotland.
“The SNP did offer 50% rates relief for the first three months in 2022-23 - whereas the UK Government offered 50% for the whole financial year 2022-23 - but the SNP did not extend it and they did not follow the UK Government by offering 75% rates relief for 2023-24 despite receiving Barnett consequentials from this policy in England.
“The ending of the relief on business rates in Scotland was a big blow to the hospitality sector in Perth and Kinross, and across Scotland. Prominent organisations such as the Scottish Tourism Alliance and the Scottish Retail Consortium have expressed concerns at a lack of support from the SNP Government.
“This issue really highlights how the SNP Government are no friends of business and are failing to support our hospitality trade."
*The overwhelming feeling on this matter from the Scottish hospitality sector can be summed up by comments they have made.
Brian Rogan, Chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce Business Rates Advisory Group, said the fact that there is no similar relief available in Scotland for retail, leisure or hospitality businesses is “a missed opportunity.”
“The ‘cost of doing business crisis’ means companies in these sectors are being supported less in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. As businesses grapple with rising costs, the very minimum action the Scottish Government should take is to match the rates support available for businesses operating in the rest of the UK,” he commented.
UK Hospitality said the lack of sector-specific relief on business rates for hospitality from the Scottish Government is “painfully at odds” with the support provided by the UK Government and Welsh Government to their hospitality sectors.
“By following their example, the Scottish Government would have extended a lifeline to struggling businesses so vital to our economy,” they said.
Scottish Tourism Alliance had said: “There will be disappointment that the comparable business rates relief extended to businesses south of the border has not been afforded to Scottish businesses.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Retail Consortium commented: “It was with great disappointment that we noted the opportunity was not taken to further support businesses at this critical time by offering comparable support to that available in England and Wales.”
