TRADE groups the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) and UK Hospitality Scotland have jointly called on deputy first minister John Swinney to deliver ‘major’ business rates relief in his upcoming Budget.
Swinney, who is also acting finance secretary while finance secretary Kate Forbes is on maternity leave, will deliver a Scottish Budget on Thursday (15th December).
The call comes after the UK and Welsh governments announced 75% rates relief for businesses in England and Wales.
In a joint statement the three trade groups said the current economic downturn will see many hospitality businesses fail ‘without meaningful intervention on business rates’.
“Not only must the cabinet secretary commit to matching a freeze on the UBR (uniform business rate) 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,” said the groups.
“The sector desperately needs this to survive, to continue to provide employment for staff and remain competitive with our neighbours.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced there would be additional funding for the Scottish Government during his November Budget, and the trade groups said the hospitality industry in Scotland “expects that the Barnett consequentials coming from Westminster will be ringfenced to support the sectors still scrambling along the road to recovery”.
“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,” they said.
“Every day is a challenge for our pubs and bars who have worked very hard post-COVID and Brexit to showcase Scotland’s hospitality industry, but we need more help to protect the jobs that outlets provide directly and the associated jobs in the wholesaling, brewing/distilling and food-producing sectors.”
