Save our pubs plea as SNP finalise their budget plans

JOHN SWINNEY has been told he can save hundreds of Scottish pubs by offering business rates relief to the hospitality sector and cancelling plans to revaluate rates.

- BY DAVID WALKER Scottish Politics Reporter

Warnings have been sounded that doing nothing in next week's Budget will be the death knell for many watering holes.

The UK Government has announced another U-turn in its approach to taxing pubs.

The move follows pressure from landlords and industry groups, with closures feared.

In her November Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves scaled back business rate discounts that have been in force since the pandemic from 75% to 40% and announced that there would be no discount at all from April.

That, combined with big upward adjustments to rateable values of pub premises, left English and Welsh landlords with the prospect of much higher rates bills.