Local MSP John Lamont has today slammed the SNP for announcing a business rates relief scheme which will not help 9 in 10 Borders businesses faced with rates increases.
The Finance Secretary, Derek MacKay has bowed down to pressure from the Scottish Conservatives and businesses across Scotland and introduced a cap of 12.5% for businesses in the hospitality sector and office businesses in the North East.
John has been contacted by a number of businesses frustrated with huge rises in business rates, including Think Fitness 4 Less Gym in Hawick who are to be hit with a 9.2% rise, after receiving a 40% rise in 2010.
A breakdown of the figures show that in the Scottish Borders only 266 businesses will benefit from this scheme, less than 10% of the 2,826 facing rates increases.
John Lamont MSP said: “The Finance Secretary has been dragged kicking and screaming to the Scottish Parliament, but his announcement of rates relief will only help 1 in 10 businesses in the Scottish Borders faced with hikes.
“The SNP have been warned about this crisis for month but repeatedly passed the buck and insisted they couldn’t do anything to help.
“Some businesses will face increases of thousands of pounds. While it will come as some relief to hotels and pubs in the Borders that their rises will be capped at 12.5%, no such limit applies to other sectors and some will really be struggling.
“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.”