Liz Smith

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with its New Deal For Business Group's Non-Domestic Rates sub-group regarding the possible introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement on retailers, prior to the announcement in the 2024-25 Budget.

Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24110 on 18 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committ…

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with its Tax Advisory Group regarding the possible introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement on retailers, prior to the announcement in the 2024-25 Budget.

Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24110 on? 18 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…

4 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with its Retail Industry Leadership Group regarding the possible introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement on retailers, prior to the announcement in the 2024-25 Budget.

Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24110 on 18 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committ…

3 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to amending the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 to allow mountain hares to be hunted for the purposes of falconry.

Answer · Lorna Slater: We currently have no plans to amend the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 to allow mountain hares to be hunted for the purposes of falconry.

3 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to propose a debate in the Parliament on Public Petition PE1859.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has no current intention to propose a debate in the Parliament on Public Petition PE1859: Retain falconers' rights to practise upland falconry in Scotland. We are aware this is being considered by the Citizen Participation and Public P…

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it estimates will be raised by the intermediate property rate in (a) 2024-25, and (b) in each year since its introduction, broken down by industry sector.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Intermediate Property Rate (IPR) was introduced from 1 April 2020. The IPR applied to properties with a rateable value above £51,000, up to £95,000 until 31 March 2023, and to properties with a rateable value above £51,000 and up to £100,000 from 1 April …

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties in 2024-25 will be subject to the intermediate property rate, broken down by (a) industry sector and (b) local authority area.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The number of properties expected to be liable for the Intermediate Property Rate (IPR) in 2024-2025 before any reliefs are applied is presented in the below tables, broken down in Table 1 by property class, and in Table 2 by council area. Property class is a…

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it decided not to provide business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in 2024-25, in light of this being provided in Wales and England.

Answer · Tom Arthur: While Scottish Ministers are sympathetic to calls to replicate the non-domestic rates relief available to businesses in England in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, doing so would have meant that the Scottish Government could not provide the NHS, l…

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it anticipates will be raised from the higher property rate in 2024-25, broken down by industry and business sector.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Table 1 presents the total expected gross income from properties liable for the Higher Property Rate (HPR) at 55.9p, after the application of the General Revaluation Transitional Relief (TR), in 2024-2025. This reflects the total gross bill for properties wit…

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties will be subject to the higher property rate poundage in 2024-25, broken down by (a) industry sector and (b) local authority area.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The number of properties expected to be liable for the Higher Property Rate (HPR) in 2024-2025 before any reliefs are applied is presented in the below tables, broken down in Table 1 by property class, and in Table 2 by council area. Property class is a class…

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will fulfil its commitment in its Framework for Tax, and the recommendation of the Barclay Review of non-domestic rates, to restore the level playing field with England for commercial premises liable for the higher property rate.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The 2021 manifesto and Framework for Tax 2021 stated our commitment to ensuring that the largest businesses pay the same combined poundage in Scotland as in England by the end of this parliamentary session. Since the Barclay Review made this recommendation, …

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) basic, (b) intermediate, and (c) higher business rate has been in each year since 1999-00 and what the business rate is for 2024-25. 

Answer · Tom Arthur: Table 1 shows the Basic (poundage), Intermediate and Higher Property Rates since 1999-2000, including the rates for 2024-25 as announced in the Scottish Budget 2024-25. Table 1: Year Basic Property Rate/ Poundage (pence) Intermediate and Higher Property R…

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with representatives of the retail industry prior to its announcement in the Budget that it is exploring the introduction of a non-domestic rates Public Health Supplement on grocery retailers.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The announcement in the Scottish Budget 2024-25 signalled the Scottish Government’s intent to explore the reintroduction of a Public Health Supplement. Retail representatives and other relevant stakeholders will be consulted as part of that exploratory work. …

12 Dec 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with Scottish Mountain Rescue teams regarding mountain safety this winter.

11 Dec 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will commit to any reform of Scotland’s planning regulations in order to generate growth, as recommended by CBI Scotland in a statement on 7 December.

21 Nov 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is in relation to employment-based routes to teacher training.

6 Nov 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland about motorway gantry signage ahead of winter.

30 Oct 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the winter COVID-19 vaccination programme.

23 Oct 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statement issued by COSLA that the handling of the recent announcement about the council tax freeze undermined the spirit and the letter of the Verity House Agreement.

18 Oct 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what employment-based routes are available to students who wish to enter the teaching profession.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government supports the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) to offer a part-time PGDE Primary programme. UHI plan to extend this to their PGDE Secondary programmes. The Scottish Government has had discussions with universities about the…

25 Sep 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the V&A Dundee has generated £304 million for the Scottish economy over the last five years, whether it will be pursuing any further joint projects with UK institutions.

25 Sep 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking in response to reports of widespread contamination at many of Scotland’s outdoor swimming sites.

11 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details regarding its Programme for Government 2023-24 commitment to develop a "long term strategic approach to skills and careers” in the culture and major events sector.

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many awards for non-domestic rates relief have been granted under the Hardship Relief programme since its introduction; what the total value has been of any such awards, and what the eligibility criteria are.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Since 2000-2001, the Scottish Government has funded a total of £4,785,000 of hardship rates relief. The Scottish Government funds 75% of the value of hardship relief, with the remaining 25% funded by councils. For properties affected by the Glasgow School of …

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the headline business rate poundage has been in each year since 1999-00.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Table 1 shows the poundage from 1999-2000 to 2023-24. Table 1: Poundage, 1999-2000 to 2023-24 Year Poundage (pence) 1999-2000 48.0 2000-01 44.8 2001-02 45.0 2002-03 45.8 2003-04 47.8 2004-05 48.8 2005-06 46.1 2006-07 44.9 2007-08 44.1 20…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more local authorities to consider and utilise their existing powers under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to reduce non-domestic rates.

Answer · Tom Arthur: It is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities. Local authorities have powers to award discretionary local relief under section 3A of the Local Government (Financial Provisions etc…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on which local authorities have used or are seeking to use their powers, under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, to reduce business rates, broken down by financial year.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Local authorities have powers to award discretionary local relief under section 3A of the Local Government (Financial Provisions etc.) (Scotland) Act 1962, as inserted by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Table 1 shows relief awarded under these …

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much revenue raised by the business rates incentivisation scheme was retained by each local authority, in each year since its inception.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Table 1 presents the amounts retained through the Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme (BRIS) by each council in each financial year since 2015-2016. The years relate to years in which amounts were actually retained by the councils and include ongoing retent…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it anticipates will be raised from the higher property rate in 2023-24, broken down by industry and business sector.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Table 1 presents the expected gross income from the Higher Property Rate (HPR), after the application of the revaluation Transitional Relief (TR), in 2023-2024. In 2023-2024, HPR is applied to all properties with a rateable value above £100,000. The values pr…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties will be subject to the higher property rate poundage in 2023-24, broken down by (a) industry sector and (b) local authority area.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The number of properties liable for the Higher Property Rate (HPR) in 2023-2024 before any reliefs are applied is presented in the following below, broken down in Table 1 by property class, and in Table 2 by local authority. In 2023-2024, HPR is applied to al…