Business Rates holiday a lifeline for struggling pubs: CAMRA

Responding to the Scottish Government’s Budget statement delivered today by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes MSP, Director of CAMRA Scotland Joe Crawford said:

“Extending the business rates holiday for pubs and social clubs for a further three months into the next financial year is a desperately-needed lifeline for pubs who have struggled for almost a year now.

“But three months won’t be enough. CAMRA will be joining the Scottish Government in calling on the Chancellor to use his Budget on 3rd March to give the Scottish Government enough money to extend this Business Rates holiday for the entire 2021/22 financial year.

“Pub-goers and licensees will now want to see the Scottish and UK Governments work together to make sure pubs and breweries get enough long-term financial support to thrive when they can reopen. This must include grants, furlough support as long as there are restrictions on trading, extending the VAT cut on beer to help pubs that don’t serve food, and cutting tax on beer served in pubs to help them compete with supermarket booze.

“Pubs and social clubs are a force for good in our communities, bringing people together and tackling loneliness and social isolation. They will be a crucial part of our national healing process after COVID and deserve to be supported until they can trade again.”