Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Scottish Budget: 50% rates relief for first three months; exemption for solar panels

Scottish Budget: 50% rates relief for first three months; exemption for solar panels
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes presents the 2022 Scottish Budget as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon looks on at Scottish Parliament Building on December 09, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has announced the extension of business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors for the first three months of 2022-23.

The rates relief will continue at 50 per cent, capped at £27,500 per ratepayer. This will save ratepayers in these sectors an estimated £56 million in 2022-23.


Presenting the budget statement in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Forbes said the measure will “prevent a cliff edge for businesses” in these sectors.

In 2021-22 the Scottish government maintained 100% Retail, Hospitality, Leisure and Aviation relief for the entire year, which is forecast to save businesses in these sectors £712 million.

Forbes added that the business rates poundage will continue at 49.8p, the lowest in the UK, “delivering a below inflation uplift for the fourth year in a row.”

She also declared annual reliefs worth £745 million to support small businesses and high streets.

“A new build in one of our towns will pay no rates for the first 12 months after occupation, through the Business Growth Accelerator. Our competitive rates reliefs are directly seeking to revitalise our high streets,” Forbes said.

She has also expanded the Business Growth Accelerator relief for property improvements to include the installation of solar panels as a qualifying improvement. The relief provides no rates increases for 12 months after a qualifying property improvement.

The budget provisions £23.5 million for Green Jobs Fund to help businesses create green employment through investment and £43 million to drive forward Scotland's circular economy.

Businesses with a rateable value of less than £15,000 will continue to pay no rates for the entirety of next year through the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

The budget also proposes a new legislation to help local authorities tackle a known avoidance tactic on empty non-domestic properties, providing local authorities with the discretion, in prescribed circumstances, to restrict the awarding of 100% empty property rates relief where the occupier has entered insolvency, compulsorily (by the court) or voluntarily.

The finance secretary said that addressing child poverty, assisting businesses hurt by Covid-19, and the goal of net-zero carbon emissions were key priorities in crafting next year's tax and spending plans.

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less