Scottish Government criticised for ‘failing’ to support hospitality businesses with business rates relief support.

Murdo Fraser MSP has criticised the Scottish Government for “failing” to support hospitality businesses by not providing sufficient rates relief to them.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s (February 2) Stage 1 debate on the SNP Government’s Scottish Budget for 2023-24, the Scottish Conservative politician said feedback from a host of bodies and groups associated with hospitality underlines their concerns with regard to lack of support from the SNP Government.

Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “I know many hospitality businesses in Perth and Kinross are struggling and many are angered at the decision not to extend business rates relief in Scotland. The UK Government have offered 75% business rates relief in England for the financial year 2023-24. The SNP have not offered this support in Scotland.

“The SNP did offer 50% rates relief for the first three months in 2022-23 - whereas the UK Government offered 50% for the whole financial year 2022-23 - but the SNP did not extend it and they did not follow the UK Government by offering 75% rates relief for 2023-24 despite receiving Barnett consequentials from this policy in England.”

Brian Rogan, Chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce Business Rates Advisory Group, said the fact that there is no similar relief available in Scotland for retail, leisure or hospitality businesses is “a missed opportunity.”

“The ‘cost of doing business crisis’ means companies in these sectors are being supported less in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. As businesses grapple with rising costs, the very minimum action the Scottish Government should take is to match the rates support available for businesses operating in the rest of the UK,” he commented.