The Scottish Retail Consortium has reiterated calls for the
Scottish Government to put economic growth at the heart of this
year's Scottish Budget. The leading trade association has called
for the Government to:
- Introduce a permanent business rate discount for retailers
from April which is at least as competitive as England's
discount.
- Commit to increased multi-year funding for the Retail Crime
Taskforce.
- Make a unequivocal commitment to no new taxes or levies on
retailers.
- Avoid further tax devolution to councils which might affect
consumer spending or increase the costs retailers' face.
- Outline a plan for narrowing the divergence between Scottish
and UK income tax rates for higher, advanced and top rate
taxpayers.
Retail is Scotland's largest private sector employer providing
228,000 jobs directly with thousands more in the supply chain.
However, recent data shows retail sales struggling with shopper
footfall becalmed.
Over the past six weeks, since the UK Budget, the SRC has
assembled a formidable range of voices, forty in total, who have
spoken up publicly in favour of a permanent business rate
discount for all retailers in Scotland. This has included trade
unions, leading retailers, trade associations, and business
improvement districts.
David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail
Consortium, said:
“Retailers are the heartbeat of many of our communities. Yet
this last year saw retailers face the twin threats of
middling sales performance and ever-increasing costs as
both businesses and households struggled. That has left
many shopkeepers walking a tightrope to remain viable.
With the Scottish Government controlling many of the key economic
levers, one bad budget could see us lose our high streets as
we know them and lead to despair for the retail
industry and other high street businesses.
“To avoid that the Government needs to build on some of the
positive decisions from recent years. Ministers have proved fleet
of foot on rates before, for example delivering more regular
revaluations and ditching the mooted surtax on grocery stores, as
well as shelving plans for fair work conditionality on
eligibility for rates reliefs.
“The retail industry has outlined clear realistic policies we
hope to see delivered by the Finance Secretary. Unless
business rates are reduced we could see Scottish retailers
carrying a heavier business rates burden than their counterparts
down south with investment-sapping consequences for the health of
our high streets and the jobs and opportunities they offer.
That's why we hope to see a permanent business rate
discount for all shops which is at least as competitive
as England. We're also seeking increased funding to
tackle retail crime and action to protect consumers
from further tax rises. Times are tough on Scotland's High
Streets. This Scottish Budget must be part of the solution not
the problem.”
ENDS-
Notes to Editors
The Scottish Retail
Consortium's Budget Submission, Aisles of Ambition, can be read
here: https://brc.org.uk/media/chwasilr/scottish-budget-2025_v2.pdf
