Local constituency MSP Finlay Carson has urged the SNP government to deliver 100 per cent rates relief for local pubs and restaurants this week.
His call comes after it was revealed that pubs in Scotland are closing at a higher rate than anywhere else in the United Kingdom.
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP has slammed the SNP’s failure to pass on rates relief for the last three years to pubs and restaurants in his constituency provided by the previous UK Conservative government.
He revealed that the sector has been dealt another blow with Labour’s tax-raiding Budget including their hikes in National Insurance and says this week’s Scottish Budget must give pubs and restaurants a “much needed shot in the arm.”
Mr Carson believes the pubs are often the “lifeblood of the community” in and urged people to back the Scottish Conservative campaign to save Scotland’s pubs, which the party has launched, as part of its common-sense Budget proposals.
He said: “Pubs and restaurants across Galloway and West Dumfries are really struggling and are desperate for support from the SNP in their Budget this week.
“I am urging SNP ministers to back the Scottish Conservative plan to give pubs and restaurants 100 per cent rates relief for the year ahead, meaning they won’t pay any rates relief at all.
“Pubs and restaurants are closing at a higher rate in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. I know ones in my area that have suffered due to the shameful failure of the SNP to pass on rates relief delivered by the UK Conservative government over the last three years.
“Their struggles have now been compounded by the new UK Labour government’s tax-raiding Budget.
“Pubs and restaurants are the lifeblood of the community across my constituency and need a shot in the arm. The Scottish Conservatives are on their side and the ball is in the SNP’s court.
“If we are to save our local pubs and restaurants, then the SNP must show some common sense and back our plan to avoid pubs and restaurants paying a penny in rates relief in the year ahead.”
