Highland Leader’s response to business rates announcement

Commenting on today’s announcement by the Deputy First Minister John Swinney, that Local authorities will be able to lower business rates in their area from 31 October 2015, Cllr Margaret Davidson, Leader of The Highland Council said:

“Our ambition for Highland is to see much greater responsibility passed to the Council, as we believe decisions over local services are best taken at a local level.

“While I welcome this announcement, what local government needs is the freedom to be able to vary business rates up and down. This is only part of the story.”

She added: “The Council already manages the Small Business Rates Bonus Scheme and I am pleased to say has managed the highest take up in Scotland.”
16 Oct 2015