Losing ratings war

THE Scottish Government-ordered review of Business Rates is another bodyblow to the SNP’s reputation.

This wrongheaded plan, which will see struggling small businesses hammered with bills up to five times the size of their current rates, threatens to be the final straw for some entrepreneurs who’ve warned they’ll be forced to lay off staff or even pull down the shutters for good.

It’s blackly comic that, meanwhile, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will soon see the bill for his own constituency office slashed.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and her Labour counterpart Kezia Dugdale have both called on the Government to think again about the knock-on effect of the new business rates levels.

Now former SNP First Minister Alex Salmond admits that some businesses have legitimate cause for complaint.

It’s time for the Scottish Government to suspend the introduction of the new rates. When even Mr Salmond concedes businesses are suffering under the SNP, it’s time for ministers to act.