South of Scotland MSP Joe Fagan has urged the Scottish Government to 'pick up the pace' on business rates reform, responding to an update on national reviews into the system. The Scottish Parliament agreed early in the new term to consider changes to Fresh Start business rates relief, and the government has committed to a 'comprehensive' review of the entire system.
Industry Leaders Warn of Immediate Impact
However, industry leaders and campaigners are warning about the impact of the most recent rates revaluation, which is hitting businesses right now. Mr Fagan stated: 'The current system of Business Rates is outdated and unreformed – it doesn't reflect modern markets or modern times.'
'The system should be scrapped entirely and designed again from scratch, but if that is not an option, then the Scottish Parliament should agree to practical reforms that can ease the burden on small businesses now.'
Call for Immediate Action
Mr Fagan emphasised that Scottish Government reviews into business rates are welcome but do not address the immediate crisis. 'Scottish Government reviews into business rates are welcome at long last, but they don't do enough for the businesses clobbered with baffling rates hikes right now. This isn't a theoretical problem for the future, it's a massive problem for local firms now.'
He urged the government to either accelerate reform or pause this year's hikes to give small businesses a chance. 'Either the Scottish Government pick up the pace on reform, or they put this year's hikes on pause and give small businesses a chance.'
MSP Collecting Case Studies
Mr Fagan is collating case studies of local firms hit by hikes they cannot comprehend and intends to present them directly to the Scottish Government to demonstrate why the system is broken and why it is essential to fix it now.
