Campaigning for a new Health Centre in Dumbarton Town Centre – Dumbarton constituency Labour candidate Jackie Baillie with Cllrs David McBride and Gurpreet Singh.
by Bill Heaney
Scottish Labour wants to see a new local business levy replace the rates system, according to Dumbarton constituency Labour candidate Jackie Baillie.
New rateable values for businesses were introduced this month, which have seen charges spiral amid rising costs.
Consumers and businesses have also been hit hard in recent years by inflation, rising energy costs and fuel prices sparked by US strikes on Iran.
Many of the area’s hospitality businesses have hit out over the impact of the rates review in an already embattled sector.
The SNP Government has also sparked fury by failing to pass on rates relief from the UK Labour government, which would help keep businesses afloat, leading to a bleak environment on the area’s high streets.
Figures also show that the number of Scottish retail businesses with at least one employee has fallen to a 15-year low.
Between 2015 and 2025, the number of retail businesses and jobs both fell by around a tenth, with more than 900 businesses and 24,600 jobs lost over the decade.
The latest figures also show the town centre vacancy rate is 11.4 per cent, meaning around one in nine premises are lying empty.
Dumbarton had a town centre vacancy rate of 14.4 per cent in 2022/23, while Alexandria’s was at 18.89 per cent. According to the 2024 Town Centre Health Check, Helensburgh’s town centre vacancy rate sat at 13.2 per cent.
Jackie Baillie, also Scottish Labour’s Deputy leader, said: “The SNP failed to pass on the same rates relief available elsewhere in the UK and our high streets and businesses have paid the price.
“Scottish Labour wants to fix their mess, get the basics right and build a better future for the country.”