Businesses in Falkirk district have saved a total of £92million over eight years thanks to non-domestic rates relief.
The latest figures show 2426 premises in the Falkirk Council area were exempt from paying business rates in October 2016. That number is likely to have increased since then, thanks to the introduction of new 100% reliefs such as Day Nursery Relief and the Business Growth Accelerator, which helps occupiers of new-build properties and those who have expanded or improved their premises.
The statistics, which were released last week in response to a parliamentary question, also show that the Scottish Government’s rates relief package will save eligible businesses an average of at least £2860 this year.
Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson said: “It’s good to see so many of our local business benefitting from the Scottish Government’s rates relief package, which is estimated to reach a record £720million this year and offers small businesses the best support anywhere in the UK.
“Between 2009-10 and 2016-17 business premises across Scotland have enjoyed more than £4.5billion in non-domestic rates relief – and more than 100,000 firms have been lifted out of rates altogether thanks to the Small Business Bonus, which was introduced by the SNP in 2008.
“Small businesses play a vital role in our economy by supporting local jobs and growth, and rates relief is just one of the ways in which the Scottish Government is helping them to thrive.”
