New measures to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the business
community in Scotland have been announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
The following steps will be put in place to support businesses during the
2020-21 financial year:
• a 75% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a
rateable value of less than £69,000 from 1 April 2020
• an £80 million fund to provide grants of at least £3,000 to small
businesses in sectors facing the worst economic impact of COVID-19
• 1.6% rates relief for all properties across Scotland, effectively
reversing the planned below inflation uplift in the poundage from 1 April 2020
• a fixed rates relief of up to £5,000 for all pubs with a rateable value
of less than £100,000 from 1 April 2020
The Finance Secretary will also write to all local authorities urging them to
respond positively to requests from rate payers for payment deferrals for a
fixed period.
Ms Forbes said:
“COVID-19 will have challenging implications for businesses and the economy
over the coming weeks and months.
“As well as following the latest health and travel advice, it’s also crucial we
consider the latest economic analysis and listen carefully to what the business
community is telling us. We know that the tourism and hospitality sectors are
facing immediate pressure, which is why we have directed support to them in
particular.
“All rate-payers will benefit from a relief that effectively reverses the
planned inflationary uplift in the poundage that was due to come into effect in
April.
“The measures I’m announcing today will provide £320 million of assistance to
Scottish business and ensures that all Non Domestic Rate consequentials we
expect to receive from the UK Government associated with the COVID-19 outbreak
will be used to provide Scottish business with support through what is likely to
be a difficult time. We will also be making the case to the UK Government that,
because of the larger number of small businesses in Scotland, we need
additional resources to be able to provide further support.
“Businesses receiving support are being encouraged to operate with fair work principles including supporting staff to self-isolate when they need to and if they have caring responsibilities and to consider keeping staff in employment where at all possible.
“We continue to work closely with our partners to identify
what further support is needed and I’d encourage any businesses with questions
relating to the impact of COVID-19 to contact the helpline we launched this
week.”
Background
The business helpline number is 0300 303 0660. The helpline will be open Monday
to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Callers should select option one to speak to the COVID-19 team.
Further additional guidance
and information, including links to guidance for travellers and the general
public, can also be found on HPS’ COVID-19 page.
The latest numbers of test results are published at 2pm
each day on the Scottish Government website.
Source: Scottish Government
Image: The Scottish Parliament / You Tube
