![\"Russell](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Russell-Findlay-at-Scottish-Conservative-conf-in-June-2025.png\")
A plan to permanently cut business rates and remove damaging \u2018cliff-edge\u2019 rises lies at the centre of a package of policies that the Scottish Conservatives will unveil today to help businesses.<\/p>\n
Leader Russell Findlay, who will attend a CBI roundtable event in Edinburgh, has pledged to restructure the system so that properties valued below \u00a320,000 pay no business rates.<\/p>\n
In addition, those valued higher will only be taxed for the value of the property above the \u00a320,000 threshold, and the same principle will apply every time a commercial property moves up to a higher tax band.<\/p>\n
Mr Findlay said his party was committed to helping \u201cover-taxed \u201cScottish businesses thrive, in order to grow the economy and create more jobs.<\/p>\n
Its manifesto also includes plans to end extreme business rates hikes by capping the maximum rise that can occur between revaluation cycles. It also proposes Canary Wharf-style enterprise zones to boost economic growth, and changes to the Apprenticeship Levy to make it demand-led.<\/p>\n
The party has also announced that it wants to merge the development agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank into a newly-created Growth Scotland agency. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs the party of business, the Scottish Conservatives are committed to creating a positive environment for firms to thrive \u2013 which would create jobs and increase prosperity,\u201d said Mr Findlay ahead of his meeting with the CBI.<\/p>\n
\u201cScottish businesses and workers are being relentlessly hammered by SNP and Labour taxes. My party would fundamentally overhaul Scotland\u2019s business rates system to make them fair and transparent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d also work with business to cut costly red tape and ensure that apprenticeships are properly funded after being short-changed by the SNP.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn SNP majority would be a disaster for Scotland\u2019s economy, but voters can stop this nightmare scenario by backing the Scottish Conservatives on their peach ballot paper.\u201d<\/p>\n
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