THE SCOTTISH Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) have welcomed the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement where beer duty will be frozen until August 2024 and business rate relief extended, saying that the Scottish Government must replicate business rates support for pubs and bars north of the border.
Commenting, Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), said:
“The UK Government have listened to industry and backed business with this Autumn Statement, freezing beer duty, freezing the small business rates multiplier, and extending 75% business rates relief. The Scottish Government must now do the same.
“Scottish pubs and bars have been at a competitive disadvantage since business rates relief was removed in Scotland, costing the sector millions and putting businesses at Scotland at a competitive disadvantage when attracting investment. This is especially critical now, given the National Living Wage which will increases to bring significant extra costs to the sector.
“The Barnett consequentials triggered by the 75% business rates discount in England must be used to end the disparity in Scotland, and to ensure that our much-loved pubs and bars are able to continue to be a powerhouse of the Scottish economy. Anything less will be met with dismay by pub operators, who collectively employ over 45,000 people in the country.”
