Miles Briggs, the Lothian Region Tory MSP, is urging city businesses in sectors outwith the hospitality industry who are facing significant business rates rises to contact him so he can make further representations to the Finance Secretary Derek Mackay. The Scottish Government announced yesterday a one year 12.5% cap in rates rises, but only for operators in the hospitality sector.
Speaking today Miles said:
“While I welcome the Scottish Government’s belated recognition of the business rates crisis that faced so many Edinburgh pubs, cafes, restaurants and other hospitality operators and its decision to cap their rates rises at 12.5%, other businesses and organisations in the city who are also facing massive rises received absolutely nothing from the Scottish Government’s announcement. This is unfair and suggests the Scottish Government simply hasn’t understood the level of concern that exists across all sectors with rateable properties."
“Some retail premises, offices, nurseries, and other firms- as well as public sector buildings like hospitals- are still facing very significant rates hikes which will put real pressure on their viability and lead to questions about jobs."
“I urge businesses and organisations who are still going to be hit hard by the revaluation to both appeal their new valuations and contact me so that I can make further representations to Derek Mackay and ask if he will consider additional support for other small businesses and organisations who are also seriously affected by the revaluation.”
If you would like to get in touch with Miles you can contact him at [email protected], you can call his office on 0131 348 5945 or you can get in touch via post by writing to:
Miles Briggs MSP,
M2.15,
The Scottish Parliament,
Edinburgh,
EH99 1SP.
