By Democrat reporter
Save Our Shops. It’s too late for some businesses in Dumbarton – Lady C closed on November 5 – but local MSP Jackie Baillie has this week stated that a UK government rates relief initiative would boost town centres such as Dumbarton if it were extended to Scotland.
However, Dame Jackie has warned this could be jeopardised by the SNP Government holding on to the money for other purposes.
She maintains Alexandria, Dumbarton and Helensburgh would be amongst those to benefit — but only if the Scottish Government passes it on.
Jackie Baillie, Rachel Reeves and Dumbarton’s ever changing, failing High Street.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent budget extended 40 per cent rates relief for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England as part of a plan to protect small businesses and support key sectors.
Dame Jackie said: “In previous years, the Scottish Government received hundreds of millions of pounds of funding from the UK government.
“In England, businesses were given rates relief, but instead of using the money to replicate that relief here, the cash disappeared into the SNP’s budget blackhole.”
The Fraser of Allander Institute has estimated it will cost £220 million to introduce this policy in Scotland.
Scottish Labour has urged the SNP to “support Scotland’s high streets” by using funding from its record block grant settlement.
She said: “The SNP has presided over more than a decade of economic failure and financial chaos. Public services are on their knees and businesses are struggling.
“Our town centres in Dumbarton, Alexandria and Helensburgh need this boost, to help them return to vibrant trading.”
She added: “The business rates system in Scotland is not fit for purpose as it stands – we need a new direction.”ur businesses.
“Labour has kept its pledge to back businesses and boost growth, but the SNP needs to stop holding our businesses and economy back.
“They are out of touch and incompetent on public services, on education, on our NHS and on our economy.”
This most recent call forms part of a wider demand from the Scottish Labour Party for wholesale reform of Non-Domestic Rates “to strengthen communities and support economic growth”.
This includes proposals to increase the rates on-line giants such as Amazon.