ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed plans set out in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland to introduce a Non-Domestic Rates Bill to implement recommendations from the Barclay Review.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the Scottish Parliament today to announce the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland, setting out the legislative priorities for the Scottish Government in 2018/19.

The address announced that a Non-Domestic Rates Bill will be introduced to apply recommendations from the Barclay Review, including: moving to a three-year valuation cycle, improving business rates administration to give better information to ratepayers and reduce the number of appeals, and reforming reliefs and tackling known avoidance measures. This follows the Scottish Government introducing Business Growth Accelerator Relief in April, delaying rates bills caused by property improvements such as installing CCTV cameras or air conditioning for 12 months.

The Scottish Government will also progress work on Barclay Review recommendations which can be implemented without the need for primary legislation - an advisory Group will report later this year to inform further decisions on implementation.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s proactive approach to reform the business rates system, which builds on the new Business Growth Accelerator Relief that the Scottish Government recognises is already stimulating growth and incentivising investment. The Business Rates Bill should improve transparency for retailers and more regular revaluations will provide more accurate rates bills for retailers”.

The full Programme is available to view here.