Local Government

As an amendment to motion S4M-03397 in the name of Gavin Brown (Local Government), leave out from “is concerned” to end and insert “welcomes the measures that the Scottish Government is taking to help tackle the prevalence of empty properties afflicting Scotland's high streets by creating a new incentive, which links to the Scottish Government’s regeneration strategy and future town centre review, to bring these premises back into economic use; notes that, even after reform, empty property relief will remain significantly more generous than that available in England and, in particular, that Scotland will retain 100% relief for industrial properties; notes the considerably greater impact on Scottish business of the UK Government’s VAT rise, which is expected to cost Scottish business £1 billion, and congratulates the Scottish Government on the wider package of business rate relief measures, worth over £500 million per annum, that has ensured that Scotland remains the most competitive place to do business in the UK.”