Helping the High Street

BUSINESS RATES RELIEF

We have to massively reduce business rates for shops and pubs in towns and cities.

Business rates exist primarily to fund local council services, by taxing non-domestic properties (similar to how Council Tax works for domestic properties).

However, the current level of business rates across Scotland make it extremely difficult for shops, bars and pubs to exist. For example, pubs are closing at a faster rate in Scotland than in England. Almost 300 have shut down in the past 5 years.

It is estimated that the average Scottish pub's business rates bill will increase by £36,523 across the next 3 years. This is on top of increasing employment, energy, food and drink costs. [Daily Record, "Pint of No Return", 28-1-26, p2.]

We need massive business rates relief.

Where's the money going to come from instead? One option, at least in the long-term, is our Publicly-created Money proposal.

TAX EQUALITY BETWEEN PUBS, CAFES and RESTAURANTS; and SUPERMARKETS

Pubs, cafes and restaurants pay 20% VAT on food sales but supermarkets pay zero.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants are essential to bringing people onto the High Street. They should pay zero too. This will bring down the costs of everything in these places, including the alcohol. This will make "going into town" more attractive again.

"RELAXING NOT TAXING"

There should be no "tourist taxes" on any StayCations in the UK. Much needed holidays are for relaxing not taxing.

As the UKHospitality trade body has stated:

"For many, this tax will make their holiday unaffordable, meaning families will shorten trips, forgo a break altogether, reduce spending with pubs, restaurants, events, leisure activities and local attractions – or travel overseas, spending their money and creating jobs elsewhere."

[Daily Express, "Hospitality warns: 'Holidays are for relaxing, not taxing'",

13-2-26, p49.]

We advocate, however, that there is a case for taxing Recreational Vehicles on certain routes in Scotland – which could be enabled via "ULEZ-type" camera technology – with the proceeds used to provide improved tourist facilities on those particular routes. See our Tourism section.

KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN!

Tidy towns and cities encourage people to come into them in the first place. Cleanliness improves footfall, and helps tourism; while litter and uncollected bins bring the entire vibe crashing down! See our Keep Scotland Tidy Policy.