Rachael Hamilton MSP has called on the Scottish Government to provide a business rate discount for shops and businesses in the next financial year.
The Borders MSP has met with many local businesses, who have asked for further relief to help them bounce back from the pandemic.
It comes as David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said footfall on the high street was hovering around 80-85%.
In the Chancellor’s UK Budget just a few weeks ago, shops, restaurants and bars and gyms in England which have been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic were given a financial boost.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a temporary 50% cut in their business rates, up to a maximum of £110,000.
In the run up to Small Business Saturday and the Scottish Budget, Mrs Hamilton took the opportunity to call on the Finance Secretary Kate Forbes to commit to the same rate of relief as in England, to help the economic recovery of the Borders.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Businesses across the Borders want business rates relief at this time.
“In England, we see Chancellor Rishi Sunak announce business rates relief, yet we haven’t had that commitment from the SNP Government here in Scotland.
“Businesses right across the Borders deserve a cut to their business rates, given the exceptionally difficult time that has just passed with various lockdowns and closures.
“The Finance Secretary must use the Scottish budget to give businesses relief into the new financial year”.