ONS Figures Highlight Scottish Government's Excessive Windfall From Business Rates

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Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 15:41

The Office for National Statistics has announced that inflation has fallen by 1.7% from its peak at 5.6% in September 2011. This announcement adds to business organisations' case against planned 5.6% increase in business rates to come in this April.  Commenting on the drop SGF Chief Executive, John Drummond, said: 

“The Scottish Government’s commitment to hike up business rates by 5.6% in April was a missed opportunity to support struggling businesses the length and breadth of Scotland. 

“The ONS figures now show how excessive the 5.6% hike is, a rise which has added more than £30m to the retail sector’s tax bill alone.” 

“We welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s commitment to allow businesses to spread the 5.6% increase over three years but this sugar coating doesn’t disguise the fact that figures like today are a bitter pill to swallow.”

Scottish 2012-13 Business Rates Deferral Scheme

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Published on Monday, 13 February 2012 11:19

Important information for businesses

Annual business rates bills are linked to inflation and from 1st April 2012 most non-domestic (business) rate bills in Scotland will increase by 5.6%.

The Scottish Government has implemented an opt-in business rates deferral scheme for 2012-13 bills.

This scheme allows businesses to choose to spread repayment of part of the inflationary increase in their 2012-13 business rates over a 3 year period.

More information about the deferral scheme can be found in this leaflet.  Application forms can be downloaded here. 

SGF Responds to Revised Sheffield Study

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Published on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:21

Commenting on the publication of the second updated version of the University of Sheffield’s report on minimum unit pricing SGF Chief Executive, John Drummond, said: 

“Given how prescriptive and absolute the Scottish Government and other interested parties have been in terms of the supposed outcomes of a minimum unit price this latest report does little to strengthen the case for minimum pricing.

 “This is the second revision of the report and the second time the assumptions which we are told to be unassailable have been diluted. 

“We continue to be concerned about a number of issues arising from this bill including its impact on low income and moderate consumers, on cross-border and internet sales and on value products.  

“It also remains to be seen whether this policy will result in yet another hike in license fees for our hard pressed retailers and whether it is competent under EU law. 

“We welcomed the Finance Committee’s recommendations that there should be an on-going evaluation of the impact of the legislation once enacted.  SGF will be closely monitoring whether these highly exacting projections do indeed turn out to be fact or fiction.” 

SGF Responds to Finance Committee Report on Minimum Pricing

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Published on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 10:42

Commenting on the publication of the Scottish Finance Committee’s report on the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill SGF Chief Executive, John Drummond, said: 

“The report acknowledges many of the concerns raised by SGF including the impact the legislation will have on low income consumers, sales, jobs and the proliferation in cross border and internet sales which could result from the policy. 

“However, on the issue of a potential increase in the licensing fee, we believe that any such increase would be an intolerable imposition and any additional costs should be met by the Scottish Government and not retailers.

“We welcome the Finance Committee’s recommendations that there should be an on-going evaluation of the impact of the legislation once enacted. 

“SGF will be closely monitoring whether these highly exacting projections do indeed turn out to be fact or fiction.” 

SGF Responds to Trade Union Attack on the Small Business Bonus Scheme

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Published on Tuesday, 24 January 2012 14:03

Commenting on the publication of the STUC report The economic and employment benefits of the Small Business Bonus Scheme which attacks the small business bonus scheme and those who support it SGF Chief Executive, John Drummond, said: 

“Apart from omitting one of the thresholds for support from their report, it would seem that the STUC have spent too much time studying press releases and not enough time actually talking to those people who run a business. 

“SGF represents hundreds of retailers who run a small business many of which provide a lifeline to local communities but face a relentless increase in costs against a tough trading environment. 

“Small Retailers more than pay their share to the public purse through business rates, licensing fees, national insurance contributions, VAT and duty, whilst continuing to offer employment in what is a very difficult financial environment. 

“Our research shows that the small business bonus scheme provides important relief for 51 percent of our members.  Given the staggering increase of 5.6% in business rates expected this April, it is a policy more vital than ever.”