Let councils set business rates, says think tank

The Scottish Government has been urged to extend the “spirit of devolution” to local authorities and give them full control over business rates.

Independent think tank Reform Scotland called for devolution from Westminster to Holyrood to be extended to devolving powers to local authorities.

The call came in a submission to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the implementation of the Barclay review on business rates.

Reform Scotland director Chris Deerin said: “Its time for the Scottish Government to embrace the spirit of devolution by applying the same principle to its relationship with local government.”

He said Scotland is a “highly centralised state”, as rates are controlled by Holyrood but collected by councils.