Retail Sector Plea for Rates Relief

Nine business groups representing the retail industry have written jointly to the Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary, Shona Robison MSP, asking her to ensure retailers in Scotland are awarded rates relief for 2025-26.

It follows the decision unveiled in the UK Budget to award the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England a temporary and capped rates relief for the coming year.

The call from retail representatives comes in the wake of the UK Government’s colossal increase in employer’s national insurance contributions which is set to cost retailers in Scotland £190 million each year, starting in April. The collective call comes ahead of the expected Stage 1 debate and vote on the Scottish Budget at Holyrood next week.

"Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive of the National Hair & Beauty Federation, said:  "Representing a significant portion of Scotland's hair and beauty businesses, the united call for rates relief couldn't be more crucial. Our Scottish Members are facing the looming national insurance burden, which will hit our predominantly female workforce particularly hard, given the high proportion of part-time and entry-level positions in our sector. While English salons will benefit from rates relief, our Scottish members need the same support to protect local jobs and keep our high street salons viable. The Scottish Government has the funding available through Barnett Consequential to provide this relief - it's essential they act to protect a sector that provides vital career opportunities and contributes significantly to local communities across Scotland."

The joint letter was submitted on Monday to the Finance Secretary. The text of the letter was:

Dear Finance Secretary,

Retail, hospitality and leisure sectors’ rates relief

We welcome the First Minister’s support for boosting economic growth and the pledge in his Programme for Government to create the right conditions for business investment.

Given this, we write jointly to encourage you in your Scottish Budget on 4 December to ensure that retailers in Scotland benefit from temporary business rates relief. We understand that Barnett Consequential monies have been forthcoming as a result of the decision of the UK Government on retail, hospitality and leisure relief in England.

This is a challenging time for retailers in Scotland. Retail sales have flatlined for the past five months, the growth in shopper footfall is meagre at best, yet statutory costs are spiralling. The latest example of the latter is the Chancellor’s decision to increase employer’s national insurance contributions. This will disproportionately impact retail as it is the country’s largest private sector employer and because retail employs large numbers of people in entry-level and part-time roles. The sheer scale of the tax hike and short timeframe for implementation has fundamentally changed the outlook, adding £190 million in extra costs onto Scotland’s retailers each year.

Providing rates relief would help smaller stores here in Scotland alleviate the UK Government’s tax hike as well as support our hard-pressed retail destinations. Such a decision would be warmly welcomed. It would also send a positive signal at a time when the UK administration has said it recognises the rates burden on retail is disproportionate and envisages introducing a permanent business rates reduction for the sector from Spring 2026 onwards.

Yours sincerely,

David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium
James Barnes, Chairman, The Horticultural Trades Association

Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive, Scottish Bakers

Dr Pete Cheema OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Grocers’ Federation

Andrew Goodacre, Chief Executive, British Independent Retailers Association

Meryl Halls, Managing Director, Booksellers Association of the UK & Ireland

Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive, National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF)

Shahid Razzaq, National President, The Federation of Independent Retailers

Anthony Short, Executive Director, Music Industries Association