World Morning Star
Swinney urged to follow Chancellor's lead on small business rates
JOHN SWINNEY must follow the Chancellor’s lead and offer small businesses the same relief coming to high streets in England, Scottish Labour said today. In last week’s budget, John Healey raised the s
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In last week’s budget, John Healey raised the small business rate relief threshold for retail, hospitality and leisure from £12,000 to £18,000, claiming it will see firms’ rates “either frozen in real terms, reduced, or cut to zero.”
Calling on the First Minister to do the same, Scottish Labour economy spokesman Daniel Johnson said: “Failure to follow the changes announced by the Chancellor will mean thousands of Scottish businesses will continue to pay rates and miss out on much needed relief.
“John Swinney must follow suit in the upcoming Scottish Budget, set out his plan for business rates, and provide urgent support for Scotland’s high streets.”
Scotland’s public finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad responded: “The Scottish government is providing a package of reliefs worth in excess of an estimated £870 million in 2026-27 and almost all – 96 per cent – of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in Scotland can benefit from some form of rates relief.
“The deputy first minister has already committed to a comprehensive review of non-domestic rates.”
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