Ingram responds on rate bills

Published 6 Aug 2010 16:00

SNP MSP Adam Ingram has today commented on a statement by the Scottish Chamber of Commerce calling for businesses to appeal against rates valuations.

Mr Ingram said: "I welcome the comments from the Scottish Chamber of Commerce (SCC) encouraging businesses to appeal their rates revaluation if they feel it is unfair"

"We have seen some local examples of some high increases in rates which do seem unfair. If local businesses feel like they have been given a raw deal in their rates valuation then they should appeal, and they have until 30th September to contact the assessor's office. We are working with the SCC to make the appeals process more efficient and user friendly.

"As the SCC makes clear, a successful appeal could have the additional benefit of making a business eligible for rates reliefs, such as the Scottish Government's Small Business Bonus Scheme, and these reliefs can be backdated.

"The Scottish Government deliberately chose not follow the English model of a transitional relief scheme to ensure the burden of taxation on business is distributed in the fairest possible way. Had we adopted a transitional relief scheme this would have taken money off the majority of firms to fund the relief and subsidised the public sector and larger businesses - leaving 81per cent of small and medium sized rate-paying businesses in the private sector worse or no better off."

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