UKH Scotland urges govt to use extra £295m for sector support
The trade body in Scotland believes business rates relief that is on par with what is being offered to English businesses is ‘a matter of urgency’
UKHospitality Scotland has urged the Scottish government to allocate £295m towards supporting the hospitality industry.
Calls from UKH to increase the government’s monetary support of the industry comes as Scotland will receive around £295m in additional funding through the Barnett formula.
Since the start of the pandemic, Scotland has lost more than 1,300 hospitality businesses.
UKH Scotland believes business rates relief that is on par with what is being offered to English businesses is “a matter of urgency”.
Leon Thompson, executive director of UKH Scotland, said: “With support for business the glaring omission from the Scottish Budget, it’s imperative that the additional £300m in funding for the Scottish government is used to support hospitality.
“Our sector is the beating heart of Scottish culture and a major part of our tourist offer on the world stage – we can no longer afford to lose businesses at the rate we currently are. I would urge the Scottish government to implement that as a matter of urgency.”
He added: “Without it, our sector will remain at a significant disadvantage to our competitors in England and Wales. This will only risk further business closures and be detrimental to our ability to drive economic growth, create jobs and serve our communities.”
