A total of 2,670 businesses across the Stirling area have benefitted from rates relief through the Small Business Bonus Scheme.
The total number was revealed in the Scottish Parliament last week when Stirling SNP MSP Bruce Crawford asked for an update on the number of businesses which pay no rates at all through the scheme.
The Scottish Government has pledged to lift 100,000 small businesses out of paying non-domestic rates by the end of this parliamentary term.
Responding to Mr Crawford’s question, Public Finances Minister Kate Forbes said:
“as at 1 June 2018, 2,670 business premises were lifted out of paying rates altogether by the scheme in the Stirling Council area. Since the small business bonus scheme was introduced by this Government, it has saved premises in Stirling nearly £39 million.”
Commenting, Mr Crawford said:
“This is great news for local small businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy here in the Stirling area.
“These are challenging times economically, and the fact that 2,670 small businesses have been lifted out of paying non-domestic rates is a real shot in the arm for the Stirling economy.
“In total, Stirling businesses have saved £39 million through this Scheme – which is the best rates package in the UK. In this year alone, the Scottish Government has invested £5.8 million in lifting Stirling’s small businesses out of paying rates.
“Local businesses will not forgive Tory MSPs, who have indicated already that they intend to vote against this hugely beneficial package for small businesses.”
