SNP MSPs say Small Business Bonus benefits local companies

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Scottish Government scheme supports 5122 businesses in the region

 

The Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus scheme has helped to support 5122 businesses in Dumfries and Galloway this year.

 

SNP MSPs Joan McAlpine and Emma Harper said the new figures proving once again the SNP Scottish Government’s commitment to local jobs and communities.

 

Across Scotland, the Small Business Bonus Scheme, brought about by the SNP Government in 2008/09, paid out over £226 million in 2017-18, supporting over 103,000 local firms by reducing their rates liability and taking some firms out of business rates altogether.

 

And across Dumfries and Galloway the number of firms benefitting from this flagship Scottish Government policy has risen from 3224 in 2008 to 5122 in 2017/18, with £8.1 million being spent in the region to support local businesses this year.

 

Commenting, Ms McAlpine said:

 

“These figures prove the success of the Small Business Bonus for firms across the region – to have more than 5000 businesses in Dumfries and Galloway and over 103,000 across Scotland benefitting from this policy is good for jobs and good for communities – helping to keep more money in our neighbourhoods and boosting our high streets.

 

“Over the last decade, the Scottish Government has taken strong action to support local businesses, while other parties have carped from the sidelines and chased cheap headlines rather than actually doing anything to support local jobs.”

 

Fellow South Scotland MSP Emma Harper added:

 

“It is the SNP that has delivered over £226 million of rates relief across Scotland in 2017/18 – and over £8.1million in Dumfries and Galloway alone.

 

“Only the SNP are taking the necessary action to help our local firms – and it is great to see so many firms benefitting from this in the last year.”

 

 

Table 1: Number of recipients of SBBS, 2008-09 to 2017-181,2,3

 

https://www.snpdumfries.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/image001.png

1.  Includes recipients of SBBS relief who also receive other NDR relief. 

2. 2008-09 was the first year of the SBBS. Relief thresholds and amounts have changed several times since then (See background noted for further details of relief thresholds and changes).

3.  Data on number of recipients are mid-year estimates.

4.  At the time of the 2017 snapshot Falkirk and Perth & Kinross were undertaking a review of SBBS resulting in lower reported number of recipients. Increases in Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Dunbartonshire follow completion of reviews in 2016.
5.  Between any given years the numbers of properties in receipt of SBBS may vary due to a range of reasons, including other types of NDR relief received, openings/closures and relocations and expansions of chains.

Table 2: SBBS relief provided, 2008-09 to 2017-18 by local authority 1,2,3,4

https://www.snpdumfries.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/image002.png

1.  Includes recipients of SBBS relief who also receive other NDR relief.  The amount of other relief provided is not included in the total relief figure. 

2. 2008-09 was the first year of the SBBS. Relief thresholds and amounts have changed several times since then (See background noted for further details of relief thresholds and changes).

3.  Estimates of relief provided are mid-year estimates.

4. When comparing the amount of relief received in each year, it is important to consider impacts of annual changes in the poundage rates (See page footnote 1).