New measures to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the business community in Scotland have been announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
The following steps will be put in place to support businesses during the 2020-21 financial year:
- A 75% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value of less than £69,000 from 1 April 2020
- An £80 million fund to provide grants of at least £3000 to small businesses in sectors facing the worst economic impact of COVID-19
- 1.6% rates relief for all properties across Scotland, effectively reversing the planned below inflation uplift in the poundage from 1 April 2020
- A fixed rates relief of up to £5,000 for all pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000 from 1 April 2020 The Finance Secretary will also write to all local authorities urging them to respond positively to requests from rate payers for payment deferrals for a fixed period.
Forbes said: “COVID-19 will have challenging implications for businesses and the economy over the coming weeks and months.
“As well as following the latest health and travel advice, it’s also crucial we consider the latest economic analysis and listen carefully to what the business community is telling us. We know that the tourism and hospitality sectors are facing immediate pressure, which is why we have directed support to them in particular.
“All rate-payers will benefit from a relief that effectively reverses the planned inflationary uplift in the poundage that was due to come into effect in April.
“The measures I’m announcing today will provide £320 million of assistance to Scottish business and ensures that all Non-Domestic Rate consequentials we expect to receive from the UK Government associated with the COVID-19 outbreak will be used to provide Scottish business with support through what is likely to be a difficult time. We will also be making the case to the UK Government that, because of the larger number of small businesses in Scotland, we need additional resources to be able to provide further support.
“Businesses receiving support are being encouraged to operate with fair work principles including supporting staff to self-isolate when they need to and if they have caring responsibilities and to consider keeping staff in employment where at all possible.
“We continue to work closely with our partners to identify what further support is needed and I’d encourage any businesses with questions relating to the impact of COVID-19 to contact the helpline we launched this week.”
Scottish Retail Consortium director David Lonsdale welcomed the measures, estimating that the reversed tax rise will save retailers £10.3 million.
He added: "In the face of this public health emergency, Scottish ministers are taking vital steps to support businesses and the economy.
"These are the right decisions for the present, albeit both the UK and Scottish Government may have to take further steps as this very unpredictable and unprecedented situation evolves."
Tracy Black, CBI Scotland director, said: "These are substantive steps from the Scottish Government that will be hugely welcomed by business. Sector-specific support is vital in hospitality, leisure and retail.
"Freezing rates and introducing direct grants are also important elements - and more may be needed, as knock-on effects are emerging daily in sectors and businesses of all sizes."
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie called for the deferral of payments to be extended to council tax and said: "Support is also needed to individuals, and there is already a widespread problem of extremely poor employment standards in these sectors.
"People on very low pay, with precarious contracts and no adequate sick leave, need protection every bit as much as their employers.
"We would urge the Government to ensure that fair work standards are expected of businesses in these difficult times, rather than merely hoped for."
Tracy Black, CBI Scotland director, said: “These are substantive steps from the Scottish Government that will be hugely welcomed by business. Sector-specific support is vital in hospitality, leisure and retail.
“Freezing rates and introducing direct grants are also important elements - and more may be needed, as knock-on effects are emerging daily in sectors and businesses of all sizes. So the scale of response must keep pace with the impact. Agility is essential.
“Meanwhile the vast majority of businesses are doing all they can to support staff through tough times, including encouraging working from home where possible.
“Maintaining close communication between business and the Scottish and UK governments will be essential for protecting employees’ health and the nation’s economic wellbeing as this rapidly evolving situation unfolds.”
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