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SPF welcomes SNP business rates manifesto promise

SPF welcomes SNP business rates manifesto promise

The Scottish National Party pledged today to keep business rates competitive with England in a move the Scottish Property Federation (SNP) described as ‘essential’ if the private sector is to play its part in leading Scotland’s economy out of recession.

Launched today in Edinburgh, the SNP’s general election manifesto states continued “commitment to ensuring Scotland’s business rates package remains the most competitive in the UK, including a commitment to match the English business rates poundage.”

David Melhuish, director of the Scottish Property Federation, said: “With the Scottish economy showing low growth rates the decision to keep business rates competitive is the correct one.  It is important this is applied to all available rate relief to ensure we have the most competitive business environment possible.

“Whoever wins the upcoming election, the public spending axe is going to fall and Scottish business must be supported to soak up as many of the public sector job losses as possible as well as the lost economic activity."

The SPF also welcomed a commitment to a “more efficient and effective planning system” that “will be good for investment and growth.” David Melhuish commented: “It is encouraging to see planning will get a good airing and we would be supportive of proposals that improve certainty and effective decision-making.”

The SPF is also delighted to see a continued commitment to enhancing the role of the private rented residential sector in Scotland.  David Melhuish said: "The private rented sector plays a much smaller role in Scotland than it does in the UK as a whole.  We believe this is a missed opportunity and in the current climate of low mortgage availability there is a much greater role for large scale private rented residential property."

On tax increment financing the SPF welcomed the commitment to continue to exploit the potential of this innovative funding mechanism.  However, David Melhuish noted that "TIF alone will not unlock stalled development sites across the country and replace the loss of private finance for economic development.  Other funding innovations involving the public sector will continue to be needed and sought as part of a national infrastructure plan to kick-start economic growth and investment."

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For more information or to organise an interview please contact:
David Melhuish 0131 220 6353