Scotland’s Large Retailer Levy to end next year
The Scottish government has confirmed that the Large Retailer Levy will end in March 2015.
At a Scottish Retail Consortium Parliamentary Reception this week, Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney said the Scottish government would not extend or replace the scheme which imposes an extra business rates levy on larger shops selling alcohol and tobacco.
The SRC has welcomed the news.
SRC director David Lonsdale said: “The Large Retailer Levy has been a blot on the Scottish Government’s claims to have the most competitive business rates regime in the UK. For the 240 retailers paying the levy, they have faced a business rates bill that has been 28% higher than the equivalent store south of the border.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“It has been an unprecedented and iniquitous tax which has targeted one part of a single sector and has acted as disincentive to invest in Scottish communities, leaving Scotland at a competitive disadvantage.
“The SRC has campaigned tirelessly to end the levy and are delighted that the Cabinet Secretary has listened intently to our arguments and committed to neither extend nor replace the tax after 2015.
“John Swinney has sent out a positive signal that his government supports a favourable business environment within which the retail sector can continue to invest and grow in Scotland. We look forward to continuing to work constructively with him on our campaign to reform the business rates system as a whole.”
