Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Testing questions body text for accordion

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 955 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-24356

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 22 January 2024

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.

Question reference: S6W-24357

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 22 January 2024

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.

Question reference: S6W-24372

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 22 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) business rate poundage and (b) large business supplement/higher property rate has been in each financial year since 2012-13.

Question reference: S6W-24355

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 19 January 2024

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.

Question reference: S6W-24345

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 18 January 2024

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

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 Petitions Committee who have been taking evidence, and are best placed to consider the issue. Should the Committee deem it appropriate they may submit a report to the Scottish Parliament with a recommendation for debate. Details of the Committee’s consideration so far can be found here: PE1859 Retain falconer's rights to practise upland falconry in Scotland | Scottish Parliament Website .

Question reference: S6W-24111

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 January 2024

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.

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 Rates/ Supplement (pence)*	Supplement Threshold (RV)
1999-2000	48.0*	0.9	> £10,000
2000-01	44.8*	1.0	> £10,000
2001-02	45.0*	2.0	> £10,000
2002-03	45.8*	2.0	> £10,000
2003-04	47.8	0.6	> £25,000
2004-05	48.8	0.3	> £25,000
2005-06	46.1	0.45	> £29,000
2006-07	44.9	0.4	> £29,000
2007-08	44.1	0.3	> £29,000
2008-09	45.8	0.4	> £29,000
2009-10	48.1	0.4	> £29,000
2010-11	40.7	0.7	> £35,000
2011-12	42.6	0.7	> £35,000
2012-13	45.0	0.8	> £35,000
2013-14	46.2	0.9	> £35,000
2014-15	47.1	1.1	> £35,000
2015-16	48.0	1.3	> £35,000
2016-17	48.4	2.6	> £35,000
2017-18	46.6	2.6	> £51,000
2018-19	48.0	2.6	> £51,000
2019-20	49.0	2.6	> £51,000
2020-21	49.8	IPR: 51.1p HPR: 52.4p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £95,000 HPR Threshold: >£95,000
2021-22	49.0	IPR: 50.3p HPR: 51.6p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £95,000 HPR Threshold: > £95,000
2022-23	49.8	IPR: 51.1p HPR: 52.4p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £95,000 HPR Threshold: > £95,000
2023-24	49.8	IPR: 51.1p HPR: 52.4p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £100,000 HPR Threshold: > £100,000
2024-25	49.8	IPR: 54.5p IPR: 55.9p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £100,000 HPR Threshold: > £100,000

*The Large Business Supplement was introduced in 2003-04. In the years prior to 2003-04 there were two poundages, one which applied to premises with rateable values that are less than £10,000, and another for those with an RV of £10,000 or more. The Intermediate and Higher Property Rates replaced the Large Business Supplement in April 2020.

Question reference: S6W-24110

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 January 2024

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.

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.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that engagement with the New Deal for Business Non-Domestic Rates sub-group continues to explore how the non-domestic rates system can best support business growth, investment and competitiveness, while acknowledging the important role non-domestic rates income plays in funding public services.

Question reference: S6W-24112

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 January 2024

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.

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, we have introduced the Intermediate Property Rate on 1 April 2020. On 1 April 2023, we increased the rateable value threshold at which the Higher Property Rate applies, from £95,000 to £100,000. As a result, over 95% of properties are liable for a lower poundage rate in Scotland than in anywhere else in the UK.

Budget decisions are made annually in light of affordability. The Scottish Budget 2024-25 takes a balanced approach to supporting businesses through non-domestic rates where possible, while ensuring the funding necessary to protect public services.

Question reference: S6W-24115

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 January 2024

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.

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, local government, schools, or emergency services with the funding they require.

The Scottish Government will continue to do all it can to support businesses. In 2024-25, the Basic Property Rate will be frozen, which, combined with an inflationary increase in the Intermediate Property Rate, will deliver the lowest poundage for properties with a rateable value up to and including £100,000 in the UK for the sixth year in a row. The Budget also announced a package of reliefs in 2024-25 worth an estimated £685 million . The Small Business Bonus Scheme which offers up to 100% relief from non-domestic rates will be maintained and a new 100% rates relief will be available in 2024-25 for hospitality businesses in island communities, capped at £110,000 per ratepayer.

Question reference: S6O-03012

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of new homes started in rural areas.

Tell us your views

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Filter your results Hide all filters

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer