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SNP conference: John Swinney to give councils business rate powers SNP conference: John Swinney to give councils business rate powers
(about 2 hours later)
Scotland's deputy first minister, John Swinney, is to give councils the power to cut business rates from the end of this month.Scotland's deputy first minister, John Swinney, is to give councils the power to cut business rates from the end of this month.
He is expected to announce the decision in his speech to the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen.He is expected to announce the decision in his speech to the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen.
Business rates are set centrally in Scotland and retained locally, but Mr Swinney wants greater flexibility.Business rates are set centrally in Scotland and retained locally, but Mr Swinney wants greater flexibility.
From 31 October, Scotland's 32 local authorities will be able to cut rates to try and boost economic activity From 31 October, Scotland's 32 local authorities will be able to cut rates to try and boost economic activity.
They will be able to apply any changes in particular geographical areas or to chosen business sectors.They will be able to apply any changes in particular geographical areas or to chosen business sectors.
The move will be made possible under an order laid at Holyrood by Scottish Ministers.The move will be made possible under an order laid at Holyrood by Scottish Ministers.
The order, which uses powers under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 that passed in June of this year, means councils will be able to reduce rates bills based on criteria they choose, such as the type of property, its location, occupation or activity.The order, which uses powers under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 that passed in June of this year, means councils will be able to reduce rates bills based on criteria they choose, such as the type of property, its location, occupation or activity.
'Real control''Real control'
The announcement follows a rise in Scottish unemployment and a slowdown in economic output.The announcement follows a rise in Scottish unemployment and a slowdown in economic output.
Mr Swinney said the Scottish government was committed to giving communities "real control over their own futures".Mr Swinney said the Scottish government was committed to giving communities "real control over their own futures".
He added: "We have already set a strong platform nationally by delivering the most competitive business taxation in the UK; for example the Small Business Bonus Scheme alone reduces or removes business rates for more than 96,000 properties.He added: "We have already set a strong platform nationally by delivering the most competitive business taxation in the UK; for example the Small Business Bonus Scheme alone reduces or removes business rates for more than 96,000 properties.
"Scottish councils will be able to use these powers from the end of this month and, in contrast to England, will be able to retain all the business rates they collect."Scottish councils will be able to use these powers from the end of this month and, in contrast to England, will be able to retain all the business rates they collect.
"With these new flexibilities councils could, for example, use their local knowledge to attract new investment into town centres and help create vibrant communities where people want to live, socialise and do business.""With these new flexibilities councils could, for example, use their local knowledge to attract new investment into town centres and help create vibrant communities where people want to live, socialise and do business."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move had been welcomed by councils.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move had been welcomed by councils.
'Positive start''Positive start'
She told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "This is an additional power to allow councils to decide if they want to set a lower rate as part of an effort to generate more economic activity in their area.She told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "This is an additional power to allow councils to decide if they want to set a lower rate as part of an effort to generate more economic activity in their area.
"It is an important power to be giving local authorities and it is part of our effort to de-centralise and devolve power to local communities. We want power to lie as close to people as possible and this is an illustration of putting that into practice.""It is an important power to be giving local authorities and it is part of our effort to de-centralise and devolve power to local communities. We want power to lie as close to people as possible and this is an illustration of putting that into practice."
The announcement was welcomed by local government organisation Cosla as a "positive start to the journey on increasing local flexibility of funding and taxation powers for councils."The announcement was welcomed by local government organisation Cosla as a "positive start to the journey on increasing local flexibility of funding and taxation powers for councils."
But the organisation said its ambitions were "much greater".But the organisation said its ambitions were "much greater".
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants Scotland to be the most attractive place in the UK for business.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants Scotland to be the most attractive place in the UK for business.
UK Chancellor George Osborne has promised local authorities in England more flexibility over business rates by 2020.UK Chancellor George Osborne has promised local authorities in England more flexibility over business rates by 2020.