Question reference: S4W-30109
- Asked by: Margaret McCulloch, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 25 February 2016
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 7 March 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities have used their new powers under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 since October 2015 to provide local discretionary business rates relief.
Answer
At this early stage data is not yet available on any schemes put in place by local authorities in respect of their power to reduce business rates which took effect on 31 October 2015 under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. I look forward to innovative use of this substantial power, with councils using their local knowledge, for example, to attract new investment into town centres and help create vibrant communities where people want to live, socialise and do business.