Business Rates holiday a boost – but more support is needed to save Scotland’s pubs: CAMRA

Responding to the Scottish Government’s announcement that hospitality businesses won’t pay Business Rates for the full 2021/22 financial year after new funding was made available, CAMRA’s Scotland Director Joe Crawford said:

“Extending the business rates holiday for another 12 months is some welcome news for our struggling pubs and gives licensees much needed certainty that they won’t have to find money to pay rates bills this summer.

“But our pubs and clubs will continue to need additional, dedicated financial support in the weeks and months ahead to see them through to the other side of this crisis.

“That’s why CAMRA is urging the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to help pubs thrive – by continuing the VAT reduction and extending it to alcohol so traditional locals that don’t serve food can benefit too and keeping furlough as long as trading restrictions are in place – even if that is for longer than it is in England.

“CAMRA also wants to see a lower rate of duty on beer served on tap in pubs and clubs to help encourage people back to their local when they reopen, and level the playing field with supermarkets.”