More Scottish small businesses benefit from rates help

Scotland's Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) helped more than 4,000 more businesses than in the past year, new figures have revealed.

Scotland's Chief Statistician has published the Non-Domestic Rates Relief Statistics for Small Businesses in Scotland for 2012.

The SBBS, set up by the government in 2008, provided £144m in relief in 2012-13, an increase from £131m in 2011-12.

There were 89,087 recipients of SBBS relief an increase from 85,199 in 2011.

Data relates to mid-year estimates provided by local authorities to the Scottish Government through statistical returns.

The Federation of Small Businesses' (FSB) welcomed the new report.

Scottish Policy Convener, Andy Willox, said: "Since the scheme's introduction, the financial crisis and the spiralling cost of fuel and utilities have put real pressure on country's army of small firms.

"This rates relief scheme has given tens of thousands of our smallest firms an inch of breathing space.

"The FSB in Scotland regards this scheme as a bold first move to re-balance the rates system."