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The move builds on the three-month rates relief extension announced in the Scottish Budget and will be taken forward provided the Scottish government receives the funding already assumed from the UK Budget on 3 March, and that requisite funds are available to maintain existing support into 2021-22.
Newspapers will also continue to benefit from 100% relief for a further 12 months, while charitable rates relief will not be removed from mainstream independent schools until 1 April 2022 due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
Other extra spending in 2021-22 will include: £100m to support people on low incomes and £21.5m for Scottish Enterprise. Separately, local authorities will receive an extra £275m in the current financial year to address Covid-19 pressures.
Finance secretary, Kate Forbes, said: “When I presented our budget last month I guaranteed to extend non-domestic rates relief further if I was given the necessary resources. I can now deliver on that promise, providing the UK Budget in March delivers the funding we require.”
She added: “This welcome additional consequential funding was confirmed to us yesterday and I wanted give early notice to parliament and provide clarity to businesses.”
In response, John Webber, head of business rates at Colliers, said: “Yet again the Scots seem to be leading the way in terms of allocating business rates reliefs to sectors hit hard by the pandemic.
“We urge the chancellor to take a similar path when he announces measures in the Budget, but also to consider the plight of other sectors badly impacted including offices and manufacturing.”
