For immediate release:

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SCHEME SUPPORTS 4,287 SOUTH LANARKSHIRE BUSINESSES

New figures show that the Scottish Government’s business rate relief scheme saved businesses in South Lanarkshire £210 million between 2009-10 and 2016-17.

Across Scotland, this scheme has saved taxpayers around £4.5 billion between 2009-10 and 2015-16 by reducing their rates liability and taking many firms out of business rates altogether.

And across South Lanarkshire, the latest figures show that 4,287 local firms benefitted from this flagship Scottish Government policy in 2016. This figure does not, however, include premises that qualified for the new 100% reliefs introduced, including Day Nursery Relief and the Business Growth Accelerator.

Commenting, local SNP MSP Clare Haughey said:

“The Scottish Government is delivering the most competitive business rates relief package in the whole of the UK, saving businesses in South Lanarkshire £210 million over the last seven years. The Scottish Government will also spend an estimated record £720 million on rates relief across Scotland in this year alone.

“Since coming to office, the Scottish Government has taken strong action to support business growth and jobs in South Lanarkshire, helping to keep money in our neighbourhoods and boost our high streets.

“This Scottish Government is taking the necessary action to help our local firms – and it is great to see many businesses in Rutherglen and Cambuslang benefitting from rates relief in 2016, with many more about to benefit from the new measures introduced in this year’s budget.”

ENDS

Notes:

The following table sets out:

1. Cumulative Non-Domestic Rates Relief Paid (2009-10 to 2016-17) based on audited figures collected by local authorities.

Data on business rate relief prior to 2009-10 is not available at a local authority level, and data relating to 2017-18 will be published in February 2019 as part of the Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics 2017-18 publication.

2. Number of properties on the valuation roll (at October 2016) that were exempt from paying business rates, for example because they were in in receipt of 100% rates relief.

This figure excludes premises that may have qualified for new 100% reliefs introduced since this time, including Day Nursery Relief and the Business Growth Accelerator.

 

Local Authority	Cumulative Relief (£m)	Number of properties
Aberdeen City	£198	2,684
Aberdeenshire	£141	7,404
Angus	£72	3,046
Argyll & Bute	£72	5,439
Clackmannanshire	£26	848
Dumfries &  Galloway	£90	6,031
Dundee City	£165	2,826
East Ayrshire	£68	2,143
East Dunbartonshire	£54	1,093
East Lothian	£66	2,018
East Renfrewshire	£36	885
Edinburgh, City of	£638	8,291
Eilean Siar	£25	1,693
Falkirk	£92	2,426
Fife	£271	7,078
Glasgow City	£801	12,388
Highland	£225	11,202
Inverclyde	£55	1,226
Midlothian	£61	1,373
Moray	£51	2,857
North Ayrshire	£94	2,917
North Lanarkshire	£220	4,432
Orkney Islands	£23	1,553
Perth & Kinross	£129	4,970
Renfrewshire	£153	3,038
Scottish Borders	£88	4,787
Shetland Islands	£34	1,292
South Ayrshire	£85	2,576
South Lanarkshire	£210	4,287
Stirling	£85	2,868
West Dunbartonshire	£50	1,277
West Lothian	£135	2,572
Total	£4,510	119,520

Note (cumulative relieve): Estimates include mandatory and discretionary elements of relief where applicable (funded by Scottish Government), but excludes backdated payments of relief and discretionary relief paid directly from local authorities.

 

Note (number of properties): Estimates include over 7,000 properties on the roll that did not pay rates because their rateable value was £0 at the time.

 

Other properties qualify through 100% relief schemes. Data is the most recent available.

NB: the changes to business rates introduced in response to the Barclay Review that came into force on 1 April will ensure all improved premises are freed from increases in their bills for the first 12 months – and all new premises will not have to pay rates until they are occupied, or for the first year afterwards, and the new day nursery relief will be set at 100% and transitional relief for hospitality will continue.

 

Date published: 10th May 2018