Martin Whitfield MSP has called the failure to extend rates relief to retail businesses a “hammer blow” to high streets, as new figures reveal that the number of employees in the retail industry in Scotland has hit a 15-year low.
Between 2023 and 2024 alone, more than 10,000 jobs were lost from the industry – almost 1 in 20 retail jobs.
Despite the challenges facing retail, the Scottish Government snubbed the industry in its budget by choosing not to follow the UK government’s lead and extend 40 per cent rates relief.
While all hospitality, retail and leisure businesses in England will receive 40 per cent rates relief next year, retail and leisure businesses in Scotland will miss out.
Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said:
“As we head out for the sales this winter, the problems facing our high streets are impossible to ignore.
“Retail jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate and town centres are under pressure, but the Scottish Government has no plan to reverse this decline.
“The difficulties facing retail businesses are bad for Scotland’s economy and bad for our communities.
“The Scottish Government could have supported high streets across South Scotland by following the UK government’s lead and extending rates relief for retail businesses, but it failed to do so.
“Ministers have no excuse for turning its back on this important sector after the UK budget delivered record levels of funding to Scotland.
“We need a real plan to support retail and support local high streets – including short-term rates relief and a long-term plan to level the playing field between local businesses and online giants.”