THE Scottish Government has been slammed by the business community for delaying the next revaluation of business rates by two years.
The next revaluation was due to take place in 2015 but will now take place in 2017 as ministers consult on plans to review the business rates regime.
One lobby group criticised the move saying firms, including pubs, restaurants and hotels, will have to pay rates based on pre-recession property values for two more years.
“Many of our members who felt that the last revaluation pegged their rates bills to the height of the market in 2008 will be disappointed,” said Andy Willox of the Federation of Small Businesses.
“By postponing the next revaluation, the Scottish Government is allowing business premises’ valuations to become dangerously out of date.”
Meanwhile, a review of the licensing fees system will return to the agenda next year after the government confirmed it’s seeking to commission research into the current set-up.
Premises licence fees are generally linked to rateable values and the review will evaluate all aspects of the fee regime.
It’s expected that the review will take place between January and June 2013.
• Comment.
