SNP ministers have been warned they risk killing businesses the length and breadth of Scotland unless they ditch plans for “devastating” tax hikes in next week’s budget.
The Scottish Conservatives have today written to SNP finance secretary Shona Robison demanding a halt to the non-domestic rates (NDR) revaluation – which will see bills for some firms rise by up to 400 per cent – as well as additional government support for struggling businesses.
The UK Labour government was forced into yet another U-turn on Thursday, when Rachel Reeves rowed back on plans for rates rises for pubs south of the border following siren warnings that it would destroy the sector.
Shadow finance secretary Craig Hoy said Shona Robison must offer relief in Scotland for all affected businesses or “it’s game over and thousands of jobs will be lost”, particularly in hospitality.
He added that Scottish firms were already at a huge disadvantage because the SNP have repeatedly failed to pass on the rates relief available south of the border.
The Scottish Conservatives are also calling for full rates relief for the hospitality sector for commercial properties valued up to £100,000 and an extension of the Small Business Support Scheme’s 100 per cent relief up to properties worth £20,000.
Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Craig Hoy said: “SNP ministers need to wake up to the magnitude of the crisis facing Scottish businesses and ditch their devastating plans now.
“Rates rises on this scale are completely unaffordable and delusional.
“If they go ahead, it will be game over and thousands of Scottish jobs will be lost.
“The UK Labour government have announced another U-turn after being forced to recognise that the revaluation south of the border would destroy businesses.
“Shona Robison and John Swinney must do the same ahead of next week’s budget.
“For years, the SNP has clobbered Scottish businesses by failing to pass on the rates relief provided in England and these eye-watering rises would be the final nail in the coffin for many.
“The Scottish Conservatives also want to see full rates relief for commercial properties in the hospitality sector valued up to £100,000 and an extension of the Small Business Support Scheme in the budget.”