CABINET SECRETARY MUST REALISE IMPACT OF CRIPPLING RATES BILLS: MCINNES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Jun 2010

Commenting after challenging the Finance Secretary John Swinney on the withdrawal of any transitional rates relief, Liberal Democrat MSP for the North East of Scotland Alison McInnes said:

"Many businesses in the North East are facing a crippling increase to their rates bills. More than half of all organisations in the region will be paying increases that would have qualified for transitional relief in the past.

"While the small business rates relief is welcome, it does nothing to address this problem in the North East. Those businesses are facing an increase up to £30 million a year.

"The Cabinet Secretary must face up to the fact that these crippling increases will create lasting damage to our businesses in the North East, threatening precarious economic stability and jeopardizing jobs.

"The Cabinet Secretary must give assurances that he will work constructively with the Chambers of Commerce across Scotland to identify and introduce a fair transitional scheme that will produce some much needed relief to businesses struggling in hugely difficult economic times."