The Scottish Government has appointed former RBS Scotland chair Ken Barclay to lead a review of business rates.
Barclay will be tasked with considering how business rates in Scotland might better support business growth, respond to wider economic conditions and changing marketplaces, and support long-term growth and investment.
The Scottish Government’s business rates review is scheduled for “shortly after” the Scottish elections on May 5 with recommendations expected to be submitted to ministers by summer 2017.
The Scottish Government also committed to retaining the small business bonus scheme, which provides business rates relief, until 2021.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon said there may be a case for changing the business rates system, but it “needs to be considered carefully” to ensure the system is “fair and effective”.
