Hospitality ‘betrayed’ as Budget fails to replicate UK business rates relief

Small businesses in Scotland have been “betrayed” after the Scottish Government failed to replicate business rates relief pledged south of the border, campaigners have warned.

Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced in her Budget on Tuesday that business rates for premises valued under £51,000 would be frozen, while island hospitality businesses would be given a 100% relief – moves which were welcomed by industry.

But the pledges to “turn the dial” on its relationship with business were “little more than a talking shop”.