The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) have urged MSPs to retain the uniform business rate in Scotland.
The joint call comes in the wake of the stage 3 of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill scheduled to take place today (4 February).
The stage 2 amendment moved by Andy Wightman of the Green Party and supported by Conservative and Labour MSPs has proposed to devolve the powers to set business rates to local councils, instead of Scottish ministers.
“We are extremely concerned about the impact that abolishing the Uniform Business Rate would have on convenience retailers operating in Scotland,” said James Lowman, ACS chief executive.
“Giving local authorities the power to set rates will only serve to complicate the system; having 32 different poundage rates liable to change at short notice could both subdue and delay investment decisions and cause uncertainty for local shops about their ongoing operating costs.”
The amendment passed at the Scottish Parliament’s Communities and Local Government Committee would also give councils the power to impose additional levies and supplements on retailers.
Pete Cheema, SGF chief executive, said: “Scrapping the Uniform Business Rate would make it impossible for retailers operating across different local authorities to carry out accurate financial planning. This will have an adverse effect on investment decisions, job security and threaten the viability of many local stores. MSPs must send a clear signal about their support for businesses by voting to retain the Uniform Business Rate.”
Under the current system, business rates amount is set by the Scottish Government, with local councils collecting the fees. The scrapping of rates poundage at the national level is also feared to cause the end of business rates relief system.
To use this website you must be aged 18 years or over. Please verify your age before entering the site.
