Swinney to ‘address’ rates revaluation concerns – Daily Business

First Minister John Swinney has expressed “concern” over warnings of soaring rates revaluations that threaten the future of businesses across Scotland.

Responding to Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who raised the issue during First Minister’s Questions, he said the issue was being scrutinised by Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee.

Businesses are facing proposed rises averaging around 120% and, in some cases, 300%. It will also mean many businesses will no longer be entitled to the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) which is vital to their survival.

The Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers (ASSC), Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), Scottish Land and Estates, Federation of Small Businesses, and Scottish Agritourism have written to Mr McKee demanding intervention.

They are backed by former SNP tourism minister Fergus Ewing, who described the proposed rises as “eye-waterin” and warned that “unless the Scottish Government intervenes now, these rates valuation notices will directly result in the assassination of thousands of small hard working self-catering businesses.

At FMQs, Mr Fraser said: “Hospitality and self-catering businesses across the country, which are already suffering from rising costs, are reeling this week from a rates revaluation that sees, in some cases, a threefold increase in the bills that they are likely to face, which they simply cannot afford.

“I know, and the First Minister knows, that the assessors are independent of Government, but ministers set the statutory framework—the rules, the assumptions, the timetables and the methodology—under which the assessors operate.

“Will the First Minister take urgent action to address the issue before yet more hospitality businesses have to close their doors?”

Mr Swinney replied: “I understand the concerns that Mr Fraser raises with me. As he correctly says, the assessors act independently on this question.

“However, I am concerned by the detail that I am hearing about some of the decisions that have been arrived at, which is why the Minister for Public Finance has already engaged in considering the implications of the issues and what is driving the changes in the methodologies that are producing those results.

“I assure Mr Fraser that the issue is already being addressed by the Government. It is an important issue, because it will affect the sustainability of many businesses as a consequence of the proposed changes. The matter is being pursued by ministers at this time.”