The The Barclay Report into non-domestic rates, external recommendations included;

• targeted reductions in bills to help retain shops in town centres
• the supplementary charge for large business premises should be cut in half, bringing it into line with England
• for businesses investing in expansion, an extended 12-month period of business rates relief
• an increase in the frequency of revaluations, to every three years from 2022
• a legal duty on businesses to provide information for assessors

Image source, bbc

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says the Barclay produced a thorough report and he thanks the team for that.

Mr Mackay says revaluations will take place every three years after 2020.

He says there will be a more flexible rates system.

The minister confirms there will be 100% relief for day nurseries from 1 April 2018.

Leisure centres, some golf clubs, private schools and universities should be brought fully under the business rates system, according to a review.

The Barclay Report into non-domestic rates, external has also recommended that childcare centres should be exempt.

The system had faced strong criticism, particularly from hospitality firms.

The review was commissioned by the Scottish government in March last year and headed up by Ken Barclay, former head of Scottish operations for RBS.

• Good enough? Reaction to the Barclay review
• Find out who responded to the Barclay review's public consultation, external

Scotland's Finance Secretary Derek Mackay welcomed the report and said the government would "respond swiftly" to its recommendations.

He added: "I know the review group have worked incredibly hard, spending more than a year engaging closely with the ratepayers across Scotland before compiling this report. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their substantial efforts."

Read more here.

Image source, AFP

The Barclay report into business rates in Scotland has recommended that leisure centres, some golf clubs, private schools and universities should start paying into the system and childcare centres removed from paying the levy.

• Click here to find how businesses have reacted.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will now give the Scottish government's response to the Barclay Review of Non-Domestic rates.

SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor asks if the government has any estimate of the number of applicants that will be helped by online submissions.

Mr Ewing says the majority complete applications online but the government want to do more by holding briefing events.

The rural economy secretary says there will be support to get more farmers online but that he did not think it right to make it compulsory.

Tory MSP John Scott asks if the minister will apologise in advance to the farming community for next year's anticipated failure to deliver the payments on time.

Mr Ewing says he believes farmers will welcome the loan scheme.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles asks when the cabinet secretary will take action to design the bespoke system agriculture needs post-Brexit.

Mr Ewing says the government is already doing that and he says he will be meeting his panel of advisers next month.

The rural economy minister says there has been no clarity about a power grab on fisheries and agriculture powers from the UK government.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says the environmental action fund will remain under review as it has done in the past two years.

Mr Ruskell asks when the fund will be reopened so that farmers can protect against flooding.

Mr Ewing says he accepts Mr Ruskell's point and that there are audit issues with this scheme.

He says he will looks into this and get back to Mr Ruskell as soon as possible.

Image source, bbc

Mr Ewing says: "The bucks stops with me."

He goes on to say failure is not an option.

Someone from a sedentary position says he said that last time.

The deputy presiding officer gives a clue as to the culprit, by suggesting to Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles his turn will come soon.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says Mr Ewing said "sorting out this shambles" was his top priority 16 months ago.

Ms Grant says the "fiasco" continues and asks when the system will be fit for purpose.

Mr Ewing says it seems "churlish" that Labour have not welcomed the loan scheme and says he does not accept Ms Grant's claims.

The rural economy secretary says those who have not received a payment will be helped and that they are "a very, very small minority".

"The system is fit for purpose," he says.

Image source, bbc

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says he is pleased Mr Chapman welcomes the loan scheme and says he believes it will be welcomed across the farming community.

Mr Ewing says to pay 90% in November will be a welcomed as a practical step.

He says debt levels in farming have been rising for 23 years.

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says he welcomes the promises set out in the minister's statement and that it is about time there was a coherent plan.

Mr Chapman says this is "too little too late" but shows an appreciation of a problem that needs solving.

He says farming income has fallen by 75% in the past five years during three years of "chaos" in CAP payments.

Mr Chapman asks if he will now get on with the job of improving the farming sector.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says farmers, forersters and rural businesses need certainty to plan for growth.

Mr Ewing says certainty is the bedrock of confidence and that is why he is implementing the loan scheme this year and preannouncing an LFASS loan scheme next for year.

Mr Ewing says he can announce a new loan scheme for eligible recipients that have not been paid.

The rural economy secretary says this loan will include up to 90% of entitlement, an increase from 80% previously.

He says this will be paid from November and that he expects a swift return of the necessary paperwork from claimants to make sure the payments can be made as soon as possible.

Mr Ewing says changes are being made so that farmers can make claims online to ensure efficiency.

Image source, Thinkstock

The Scottish government has unveiled a plan to stabilise and improve the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payment process.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing told MSPs the ‘CAP Plan for Stabilisation’ will tackle the major causes of poor customer service, error and payment delay by:

• Providing a clear payment schedule for our schemes to help customers plan ahead
• Launching a loan scheme for eligible 2017 Basic Payment Scheme customers
• Operating a reliable IT platform that meets customer expectations

Common Agricultural Policy: Plan for Stabilisation, external

Scottish Rural Payments schedule of key dates., external