MSPs lock horns over non domestic rates bill
NICOLA FINDLAY
A row has broken out over business rates with the SNP’s Linda Fabiani lambasting opposition parties’ for pushing to devolve them to local authorities.
The ‘non domestic rates’ bill is still proceeding through the parliamentary process at Holyrood.
But the East Kilbride MSP claims plans backed by Tory, Labour and Green MSPs could see the end of ‘small business bonus’ relief rates and that given to nurseries.
She said it would also in turn cut revenue to South Lanarkshire Council, claiming if plans had been in effect over the last two years, the local authority would have faced a shortfall of £19million.
Ms Fabiani said: “East Kilbride businesses have had nothing but uncertainty imposed by the Tories in their reckless pursuit of Brexit.
“Now, along with Labour and the Greens, they want to further expose council finances.
“If these plans had been in effect over the last two years, South Lanarkshire Council would have faced a shortfall of £19 million.
“Many small businesses would be adversely affected and nursery provision hit hard.
“Small businesses in East Kilbride and the rest of South Lanarkshire welcome the boost that the Small Business Bonus brings.
“To put that at risk is foolhardy. The Tories, Labour and the Greens must take a long, hard look at this before it comes back before Parliament.”
But Tory Graham Simpson hit back saying: “This is a daft comment which clearly comes straight from SNP high command.
“The ‘non domestic rates’ Bill is still proceeding through the parliamentary process and there is no chance whatsoever that the ‘small business bonus’ will be ended as a result of it.
“Devolving the power to set business rates to local councils has the support of many councillors across Scotland as it would give councils the ability to boost their local economies.
“It is up to the SNP to engage with us on this and other aspects of the Bill, which they have so far failed to do.”