Calls come as the UK Government unveils relief package for pubs in England
HOSPITALITY spokespeople have urged the Scottish Government to commit to passing on rates relief measures announced earlier by the UK Government.
Westminster today (27th January) confirmed that pubs and live music venues in England will be eligible for a 15% discount on their 2026-2027 rates bills. The discount will not be made available to the wider hospitality sector.
Under the Barnett formula this should create additional funding for Scotland, although it is yet to be confirmed how much will be made available to Scottish ministers.
Scottish finance secretary Shona Robison pledged during her Scottish Budget earlier in January that, if Westminster announced support for pubs and provided funding to Scotland, the Scottish Government ‘stand ready to use these to provide even further support for the sector in Scotland’.
Robison had already announced a 15% relief for Scottish hospitality venues, meaning that Scottish businesses could potentially be in line for more relief.
However, this is against a backdrop of some businesses seeing rates bills increase by upwards of 100% after the recent revaluation.
Following the announcement of the English support package Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “Now we have seen the details of the business rates support package in England, I urge the Scottish Government to move swiftly to make good on its promise at the Scottish Budget to use these funds to support hospitality.
“Like in England, Scottish hospitality businesses are facing steep hikes to business rates. Hotels are facing average increases of £68,000 over three years. Pubs are set for an average £36,000 increase.
“This is a hospitality-wide problem that needs a hospitality-wide solution.
“The Scottish Government should rapidly outline its plans to bring forward a support package for the entire sector, to support business viability, jobs and the communities that rely on these businesses.
“I stand ready to work collaboratively with the Scottish Government on a package that best supports the hospitality sector.”
Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association said Scottish pubs ‘urgently need additional support’.
“While we welcomed the reliefs announced in the Scottish Budget earlier this month, they simply do not go far enough,” said Togneri.
“Without further action, many pubs will struggle to keep their doors open, and we risk losing jobs in communities across the country.
“Even before the UK chancellor’s announcement today, Scottish pubs were already facing significantly higher business rates bills due to the new lower poundage rate in England. The additional support announced today will now widen that gap further, making it even harder to attract investment into Scotland’s pub and brewing sector.
“The Scottish Government will receive additional funding as a result of this change. It is vital that Shona Robison honours her commitment to pass this on – and goes further – to protect pubs, safeguard jobs, and support an industry that is central to Scotland’s social and economic fabric.”
