McInnes and Bruce discuss soaring business rates at Thainstone Mart (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

McInnes and Bruce discuss soaring business rates at Thainstone Mart

March 26, 2010 12:00 AM
Originally published by Alison McInnes

Aberdeenshire Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes has urged the Scottish Government to reconsider its decision not to introduce a transitional rates relief scheme for hard-pressed Scottish businesses.

Visiting Thainstone Mart today (26th March) with Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon, Mrs McInnes spoke directly to John Gregor, General Manager and Alan Craig, Chief Executive of ANM Thainstone.

Commenting following the meeting, Mrs McInnes said:

"Auction marts across Scotland are facing astronomical business rates increases, but our local mart at Thainstone is the hardest hit of them all. It is a facing a rates rise of over £102,000.

"I wanted to meet directly with the managers to discuss the impact of such a massive hike. There is no doubt that this will hit the business hard and is likely to have a knock-on effect on their customers.

"I have assured them that I will continue to fight for a transitional relief scheme. It is unfair that there is such a scheme in England, but Scottish marts have been placed at a competitive disadvantage.

Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon added:

"I will be investigating the criteria on which the rates have been based.

"It is unreasonable for business in Scotland to be denied transitional relief, when it has been given in England

"Alastair Darling's announcement of a transitional scheme in England has only increased the pressure on the Scottish Government to make sure Scottish businesses do not lose out.