CRAG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has recently called on the Scottish Government to pass on the 75% business rates relief to hospitality and retail businesses in Midlothian as an incentive for them to grow and invest, using Penicuik as an example of a town that would benefit from rates relief during Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament.
This follows a call from the Scottish Retail Consortium for the Scottish Government to match the 75% business rates relief available in England and Wales, with a failure to match the rate being blamed for “damaging perceptions” of the Scotland’s economic competitiveness.
Hoy also asked the Scottish Government’s Minister for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy at Portfolio Questions to “explain in what way the imposition of this government’s disastrous Deposit Return Scheme on cafes, pubs and restaurants is in any way sensible rule making.”
The South Scotland MSP commented: “I raised the issue of the Deposit Return Scheme and need for business rates relief in Scotland to the Minister for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy because a thriving local high street is vital to the wellbeing of communities in towns such as Penicuik, Gorebridge and Newtongrange.
“The Scottish Government need to acknowledge the difficulties being faced by towns in Midlothian during the ongoing cost of living crisis, particularly given the associated costs for products and labour in Midlothian.”
