Over 600 Moray businesses wait two years for rates decisions
Over 600 businesses across Moray are still waiting to learn the outcome of their business rates appeals, almost two years after the new valuations were issued.
New Scottish Government figures published today show that as of 31st December 2018, of the 1,098 who appealed their revaluation across the area, 646 are still waiting for a decision from the assessor.
That means that only 41% of businesses who appealed have been informed of the assessors decision, leaving a total of £73 million in outstanding rateable value.
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has said that the figures demonstrate that the requirement of businesses to plan their outgoings is being put at risk by the botched process.
Jamie said:
‘’The new valuations caused a storm of protest in Moray when they were proposed two years ago and now we found that the system has been so botched that hundreds of businesses here are still awaiting a decision on their appeals.
“Businesses need to be able to plan for their outgoings and this failure by the Scottish Government to properly prepare represents a major failure on its part. We should also remember that the SNP leader of Moray Council has been flagging up the possibility of introducing a tourist tax so many of our businesses also have that uncertainty to worry about as well.
“Ministers in Holyrood need to understand that these issues can make all the difference between staying in business or going bust.
“To leave the livelihoods of hundreds of families uncertain for almost two years demonstrates a total failure of the system, and a total failure of the authorities to support business.
‘’These statistics show very little progress in Moray and I will press the authorities to speed up the system and give businesses in the region I represent the certainty they need to continue to trade.’’
