SGF cries foul over proposals to attach strings to rates relief

Scottish Grocers Federation has strongly protested a proposal to the conditional use of business rates relief.

The proposal is part of the recommendations by the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery established by the Scottish Government to advise on Scotland’s economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report states that the government’s approach should include “targeted use of rates relief to incentivise economic recovery and greater use of conditionality in business support.”

Drawing on the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First approach, the report suggest measures like investment in skills and training, no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts, action to tackle the gender pay gap, trade union recognition and payment of the real Living Wage.

“Retailers should not be forced into having to make pledges and guarantees in order to qualify for key rates reliefs such as the small business bonus,” said Pete Cheema, SGF chief executive.

“We are urging the Scottish government to disregard this recommendation and to ensure that the small business bonus remains available to every business which needs it. There should be no costs attached to this key source of business support.”

The small business bonus scheme is currently under review by the Scottish government.

The group’s 25 recommendations, which will now be considered in detail by the Scottish Government, include, among others, the introduction of a Scottish jobs guarantee scheme in partnership between business and government, that aligns teaching and learning in universities and colleges to the needs of business and an urgent action to develop a stronger relationship between business and government on the strategy for Scotland’s economic recovery.