Tories target business rate changes

Mar 13 2013

The Tories are to mount a last ditch attempt to scrap controversial changes to rates relief on empty business properties.

Conservative local government spokewoman Margaret Mitchell is calling on MSPs on Holyrood's Local Government Committee to annul the measure.

Companies get a 50% discount on business rates for vacant premises.

But Holyrood has already approved legislation that will make them liable for 90% of the charge.

The measure was included in the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill, passed by MSPs last October.

Business lobbying organisation CBI Scotland has previously estimated the change will cost businesses £18 million a year, branding it a "tax on distress".

Ms Mitchell hit out and said: "In tough economic times, when businesses are struggling, the SNP's voodoo economics is to hammer them with yet more burdens."

She claimed the change to rates relief for empty commercial properties would "harm the very kind of speculative development that our economy needs if it is to grow". But she said the SNP administration was "pushing ahead despite the damage this rates relief cut will have on businesses".

Local Government Minister Derek Mackay has insisted the change will help Scotland's high streets and town centres.

When the Bill was passed last year he said: "Empty commercial properties are a blight on our high streets and these reforms will help bring them back into use and bring new life to our town centres."