MSPs urged to protect shops and people who work in them
Usdaw, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, and one of Scotland’s biggest unions, has added its voice to that of the Scottish Retail Consortium in calling on Scottish Ministers to introduce a permanent business rate discount for all retailers.
It follows last week’s confirmation from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that retailers in England will receive a permanently discounted business rate from April. This will see stores down south receive a 10 per cent discount to their business rate.
The UK and Welsh governments have recognised retailers’ pay a disproportionate amount in business rates, with Wales also set to reduce the business rate that retailers’ pay.
Retail is Scotland’s largest private sector employer with 235,000 Scots directly employed by the industry with thousands more in the supply chain. Retail accounts for a fifth of business rates.
Tony Doonan, Regional Secretary for Scotland, Usdaw, said:
A thriving retail industry is good for the availability of local jobs and career opportunities, better training and pay progression, as well as for investment on our high streets and in our town and city centres. We’re calling on MSPs to implement a permanent business rate discount for all shops from next April otherwise there is a real risk that Scotland will miss out on the development of new stores and existing stores will become less attractive and viable options to invest in. That’s not good for the condition of our high streets, shopping centres and retail parks, nor for staffing levels and job opportunities here in Scotland.
David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium, added:
Usdaw’s intervention underlines how continued investment in stores is essential to maintaining retail jobs and keeping shops viable and attractive to customers, in turn driving footfall and minimising the number of shuttered shopfronts. The Scottish Government should be making it as easy and affordable as possible for retailers to invest and create jobs, opportunities which often give our young people their first step onto the career ladder. That’s why it’s critical that Government ensure all shops here don’t miss out on a business rate discount which is being brought into effect in England. If it becomes materially more expensive to operate shops north of the border than elsewhere that’s likely to shift investment to other parts of the UK, have consequences for retail jobs, and make economic recovery here more arduous. Ministers and MSPs must seize the opportunity in the Scottish Budget next month to ensure all retailers in Scotland benefit from a business rate which is at least as competitive as England’s discount.
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