The head of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce has written to Perth and Kinross candidates ahead of this week’s council elections asking them to oppose the introduction of new taxes or levies on local businesses if elected.
The ‘Restore, Recover and Reform’ pledge urges potential representatives to commit to “pro-business and pro-enterprise policies” as business owners face “rising cost pressures” and “recruitment issues”.
This includes speaking out against the Workplace Parking Levy - which allows councils to decide whether to impose an annual tax on car parking spaces that are provided by employers - and low-emission zones Commuter Tax, as well as supporting the “long-overdue” reform of business rates.
The pledge also looks to “rebuild the hard-hit” tourism and hospitality sectors by opposing the Transient Visitor Tax - an additional nightly tax fee on tourist accommodation which has been mooted for Edinburgh over the past few years.
The call comes as the latest business survey from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce revealed that Scotland’s economy is “faltering” as businesses report record high levels of worry over inflation and rising costs.
Chief executive of Perthshire Chamber Vicki Unite also cited falling customer spending due to the cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic recovery as concerns.
Last month she called for “meaningful” financial assistance from the Scottish and UK Governments after Scotland’s face covering rules were dropped.
In response, first minister Nicola Sturgeon promised the government would “do everything it can” to support struggling Perthshire businesses.
However, as residents get ready to vote for their local representatives for the next four years on Thursday, May 5, Vicki Unite said: “Businesses in Perth and Kinross have had an incredibly tough time over the past two years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“And local government has a crucial role to play in not only helping businesses recover, but also securing long-term growth in the local area.
“We want candidates to Rally for Growth locally by committing to restore business and consumer confidence to pre-pandemic, help our hardest hit sectors such as tourism and retail fully recover by opposing new business taxes and levies and finally for support to reform Scotland’s long-overdue business rates regime.
“Businesses continue to face an increasingly complex set of challenges as they balance growth with inflation hitting a 30-year-high, rising energy prices and falling consumer spending.
“In Perth and Kinross there is also a recruitment issue with business having to turn down work or shorten their business hours – and the potential to grow and develop.
“By committing to restore, recover and renew the trading environment for local businesses by opposing new business and consumer taxes in the form of low emission zones, the workplace parking levy and the tourist tax, local councillors can demonstrate they understand local businesses concerns and support our business build back plan.
“We want all local candidates from across the political spectrum to get behind local businesses, help them get back on their feet and give businesses the certainty they need that council administrations will back businesses.”
