Nineteen business representative groups and industry bodies have jointly written to the Scottish Government asking John Swinney to freeze business rate in the coming financial year.
The organisations represent a broad cross section of Scottish industry, including retailers, wholesalers, engineering manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and leisure.
The collective call comes ahead of the unveiling of the Deputy First Minister and Interim Finance Secretary's fiscal statement on 15 December, which is expected to set the business rate and associated reliefs and thresholds for the 2023-24 financial year.
Scotland’s business rate is already at a 23-year high. Last week in the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor confirmed the business rate in England would not increase next April.
The joint letter stated: "We fully recognise that the Scottish Government, like business, is facing its own costs and inflationary pressures at the present time.
"We note too that headway has been made in recent years on broader aspects of rates reform including more frequent revaluations, the retention of the uniform business rate, and the pledge to restore parity on the higher property rate with England which should benefit 12,000 commercial premises here in Scotland.
"Yet, after two turbulent years of the pandemic the fact is trading conditions remain challenging, the cost of doing business is spiralling, and the near-term economic outlook is weak.
"Given the decision taken in the UK Autumn Statement we ask that at the very least Scottish ministers follow suit and similarly freeze the headline business rate poundage in the coming financial year."
It argued that this would aid firms with the costs crisis, help them keep down prices for customers, and ensure that no more Scottish commercial premises than currently do end up paying a higher business rate than applies down south.
"Our organisations have a range of ideas on how Scotland’s rates system could be improved, however, we collectively believe this practical measure to at least freeze the business rate requires to be taken in your upcoming Scottish Budget, which would be a positive step applicable to all commercial premises and help ease the burden at this difficult time."
The letter's signatories include
- David Lonsdale, director, Scottish Retail Consortium
- Sandy Begbie CBE, chief executive, Scottish Financial Enterprise
- Tracy Black, director, CBI Scotland
- Dr Liz Cameron CBE, chief executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce
- Phil Clapp, chief executive, UK Cinema Association
- Marc Crothall MBE, chief executive, Scottish Tourism Alliance
- Huw Edwards, chief executive, ukactive
- Mark Kent, chief executive, Scotch Whisky Association
- Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive, Scottish Land & Estates
- Warrick Malcolm, director, ADS Scotland
- Catherine McWilliam, nations director, IoD Scotland
- David Melhuish, director, Scottish Property Federation
- Gordon Nelson, Scotland director, Federation of Master Builders
- Garry Richmond, director, Print Scotland
- Paul Sheerin, chief executive, Scottish Engineering
- Alasdair Smith, chief executive, Scottish Bakers
- Colin Smith, chief executive, Scottish Wholesale Association
- David Thomson, chief executive, Food & Drink Federation Scotland
- Leon Thompson, executive director, UKHospitality Scotland
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