Usdaw, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, and
one of Scotland's biggest unions, has added its voice to that of
the Scottish Retail Consortium in calling on Scottish Ministers
to introduce a permanent business rate discount for all
retailers.
It follows last week's confirmation from the Chancellor of the
Exchequer that retailers in England will receive a permanently
discounted business rate from April. This will see stores down
south receive a 10 per cent discount to their business rate.
The UK and Welsh governments have recognised retailers' pay a
disproportionate amount in business rates, with Wales also set to
reduce the business rate that retailers' pay.
Retail is Scotland's largest private sector employer with 235,000
Scots directly employed by the industry with thousands more in
the supply chain. Retail accounts for a fifth of business rates.
Tony Doonan, Regional Secretary for Scotland, Usdaw, said:
“A thriving retail industry is good for the availability of local
jobs and career opportunities, better training and pay
progression, as well as for investment on our high streets and in
our town and city centres. We're calling on MSPs to implement a
permanent business rate discount for all shops from next April
otherwise there is a real risk that Scotland will miss out on the
development of new stores and existing stores will become less
attractive and viable options to invest in. That's not good for
the condition of our high streets, shopping centres and retail
parks, nor for staffing levels and job opportunities here in
Scotland.”
David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium, added:
“Usdaw's intervention underlines how continued investment in
stores is essential to maintaining retail jobs and keeping shops
viable and attractive to customers, in turn driving footfall and
minimising the number of shuttered shopfronts. The Scottish
Government should be making it as easy and affordable as possible
for retailers to invest and create jobs, opportunities which
often give our young people their first step onto the career
ladder. That's why it's critical that Government ensure all shops
here don't miss out on a business rate discount which is being
brought into effect in England. If it becomes materially more
expensive to operate shops north of the border than elsewhere
that's likely to shift investment to other parts of the UK, have
consequences for retail jobs, and make economic recovery here
more arduous. Ministers and MSPs must seize the opportunity in
the Scottish Budget next month to ensure all retailers in
Scotland benefit from a business rate which is at least as
competitive as England's discount.”
