New analysis of official figures shows that businesses in the Borders are being hit with a 16% increase in their business rates, the 4th highest increase in Scotland.
The figures, provided by the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe) show the total increase in business rates between 2016-17 and 2017-18, following revaluation, was 16.4% in the Scottish Borders behind only Argyll & Bute, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.
By contrast, businesses in Edinburgh will see rates rise by just over 9%, those in neighbouring Dumfries will face a 7% rise, while some councils, like Inverclyde are seeing an overall decrease in their rates of 6%.
The Finance Secretary, Derek MacKay recently imposed a 12.5% cap for some businesses following repeated criticism of his handling of the crisis. However, these figures show that in total the bill for businesses in the Borders will be considerably higher than this.
John Lamont MSP said: “Businesses across the Borders are being faced with a whopping 16% rise in tax, one of the highest rises anywhere in Scotland. Along with the increase in income and council tax, Scotland is now the highest taxed part of the UK.
“The SNP might as well be putting a sign up on the Border, saying ‘Scotland closed for business.’
“With High Streets already struggling, my concern is that these rises will just make matters worse.
“Businesses in the Borders are being told that they can’t appeal until after the rates come into force and won’t receive an answer until next year. The fear is that many will not survive until then.”