SNP Small Business Bonus Benefits Lanarkshire

Over 12,500 Lanarkshire businesses will look forward to benefiting from the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus scheme in the near future, Central Scotland SNP MSP Linda Fabiani has said.

The figures were announced in a debate on the Scottish economy (Scottish Parliament 12.11.08), where the Scottish Government praised the scheme which will help provide jobs and security for businesses in Lanarkshire at a time when the economic downturn is causing concern to many.

Businesses with a rateable value of up to £8,000 will pay nothing from April and those of a value between £8-15,000 will be paying half their normal rates at the end of the roll out of the scheme.

Ms Fabiani said:

“From April 2009 businesses in East Kilbride and throughout Lanarkshire with a rateable value up to £8,000 will no longer pay rates under this scheme. That will be money which they can invest back into their business for the employment of extra staff or provide security in the current difficult economic times.

“To have 12,500 businesses across Lanarkshire benefiting from this scheme in the long run will provide a lift and some stability to the Lanarkshire economy at a time when unemployment is rising.

“This will help to safeguard and create jobs in the local area and throughout Scotland and shows the Scottish Governments determination to do what it can to boost the Scottish economy.”