In Scotland retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will pay no rates during 2021-22.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced a series of measures following confirmation of a further £1.1 billion of funding arising from UK Government Coronavirus spending.
This will build on the three months rates relief extension announced in the Sottish Budget and will be taken forward provided the Scottish Government receives the funding already assumed from the UK Budget on 3 March, and that requisite funds will be available to maintain existing support into 2021-22.
Newspapers will continue to benefit from 100% relief for a further 12 months, and charitable rates relief will not be removed from mainstream independent schools until 1 April 2022.
Local authorities will also receive an extra £275 million in the current financial year.
Other extra spending in 2021-22 arising from the latest consequentials includes:
- £120 million for mental health
- £120 million for affordable housing
- £100 million to support people on low incomes
- £60 million for schools to help pupils catch-up on missed education
- £60 million for NHS recovery
- £45 million for heat decarbonisation, energy efficiency and fuel poverty
- £21.5 million for Scottish Enterprise
Finance Secretary, Ms Forbes said:
“When I presented our budget last month I guaranteed to extend non-domestic rates relief further if I was given the necessary resources. I can now deliver on that promise, providing the UK Budget in March delivers the funding we require.
“The other measures I am proposing today, including further support for hospitals, schools and local government and measures to tackle climate change, build on our priorities to ensure a robust recovery for our economy and public services.
“This welcome additional consequential funding was confirmed to us yesterday and I wanted give early notice to parliament and provide clarity to businesses.
Click here to see the Scottish Government Article
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