Hunter urges pubs to ban ministers in rates protest – Daily Business

Sir Tom Hunter has stepped up his campaign to reform business rates by calling for pub landlords to ban every government minister and the rates assessor until they take appropriate action.

Echoing last year’s protest by pubs in England to ban Labour MPs over the same issue, the entrepreneur and investor called for direct action to force a change of direction.

“Business rates are having a terrible impact on businesses across Scotland, particularly in hospitality,” he said in posts on social media.

“What will it take to make the government officials and rates assessor understand the damage they are doing?

“Rachel Reeves has been banned from her local pub because of the rates, so I’m going to say up in Scotland, let’s start banning the people in power from their local pub, their local restaurant until they sort the rates policy that is not fit for purpose.”

In last month’s budget, Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison unveiled a package of rates relief for the retail, hospitalty and leisure sectors.

With the retention of the small business bonus scheme, she said 96% of of outlets would pay zero or reduced rates over the next three years.

However, business organisations continue to call for a root and branch reform of the rates system and a pause in the revaluation due to take effect in April.

LibDem MSP Jamie Greene has called on Scottish ministers to follow the example of the Northern Ireland Executive which has halted a rise in business rates.

In its latest bi-annual snapshot survey of 400 pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association said hospitality businesses in Scotland face higher rates and energy charges than their counterparts across the rest of the UK.

Managing director Colin Wilkinson said: “Our report highlights that over 86% of our respondents do not think the economic policies of either the Scottish or UK governments are aligned to growing their businesses.

“We cannot operate in an environment where 14% of respondents are planning to or are considering closure, so we urge all parties within the Scottish Parliament to place early rates reform, and within the Westminster Parliament a reduction in VAT for the licensed hospitality sector, at the heart of their economic strategies.

“The Westminster government has recognised the need to focus more direct support for pubs in England and has given additional funding for this particular sector.

“With additional funding coming to Scotland through the Barnett consequentials, we urge – in the strongest terms – that this additional financial support flows directly through to the Scottish licensed hospitality sector and is not diluted to other sectors, or even worse diverted away for other purposes as in the past.”