The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has described the 2025/26 Scottish Budget as “a positive budget for Scotland’s brewers and pubs” due to new business rates relief measures, while highlighting ongoing challenges for excluded businesses.
Commenting on the Stage 1 passage of the 25/26 Scottish Budget, Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) said:
“Overall, this is a positive budget for Scotland’s brewers and pubs with support on business rates for the first time in three years.
“It remains an exceptionally difficult trading environment and with the sector facing significant tax rises in April, reduced rates bills are massively helpful for those pubs receiving it.
“There are still hundreds of pubs above the ratings threshold who are missing out entirely though, and they will rightfully be disappointed.
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“It is not too late for this unfairness to be addressed, and we are still urging the Government and opposition parties to look again at extending the 40% relief.
“Ultimately, we need a long-term solution to the rates issue to end the annual uncertainty. The disproportionately high bills faced by pubs compared to other sectors is costing investment, economic growth, and jobs – it needs fixing.”
The SBPA’s cautious optimism highlights the urgent need for structural reforms, as over 2,500 excluded pubs grapple with rising taxes and uncompetitive rates—a disparity demanding alignment with England’s framework.
