Last week we sent a letter to local MSPs on the issue of Non-Domestic Rates, following the recent decision by the  Scottish Government to delay the 2022 Non-Domestic Rates Revaluation. This is a critical time to ensure that the NDR system is fit for purpose, and regular revaluations can play a part in supporting business growth by ensuring that the tax payable by businesses is proportionate to the ability to pay by being more aligned with the current market conditions they face. We have therefore called upon our Edinburgh MSPs to reject the Revaluation Delay Order that will be coming before the Scottish Parliament in the next few weeks, and instead ask the Scottish Government to go ahead with the 2022 Revaluation as previously promised. You can read the letter here.

We sent a second later to our Edinburgh MPs to share the shock and anger of many Edinburgh businesses at the UK Treasury’s surprise decision to end the tax-free shopping scheme. This is a decision that could cost Edinburgh’s economy around £92million, with some studies predicting that this could lead to up to 1800 job losses in manufacturing and retail within Edinburgh. This could not come at a worse time for businesses, and we have already raised this issue with the Prime Minister, Chancellor and the First Minister. We have now written to local MPs asking them to raise this issue with the UK Chancellor themselves, and to ask him to work with industry to create a first-class tax-free shopping system that will enhance Scotland’s and the UK’s current position as a global shopping and tourist destination and provide a welcome and much-needed boost to the UK economy. A copy of the letter can be found here.