Scottish Retailers Urge Support for SNP’s ‘Imperfect’ Budget

The Scottish Retail Consortium warns of uncertainty if the minority government’s budget fails to pass, despite concerns over business costs.

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has called on MSPs to approve the SNP’s proposed budget, highlighting its importance for business stability despite acknowledged flaws.
Key measures welcomed by the SRC include a freeze on property rates, rejection of a business rate surtax on grocers, and £3 million allocated to tackle retail crime.
Retailers criticized the budget for rising business rates on medium and large shops and the lack of measures to address high operating costs in Scotland.
The minority SNP government requires support from at least one other party, with negotiations expected to intensify as Holyrood resumes this week.
A full parliamentary debate on the budget is scheduled for February 4, and the legislation must receive royal assent by the end of March.