Public Health Supplement (Retailers) (Assessment)

Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 3:03 pm on 30 October 2024.

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Photo of Elizabeth Smith Elizabeth Smith Conservative 3:03, 30 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out regarding the potential impact of introducing a public health supplement to be paid by retailers in Scotland. (S6O-03859)

Photo of Shona Robison Shona Robison Scottish National Party

The Scottish Government has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including public health organisations and retailers, to explore the potential effects that the reintroduction of a public health supplement might have. That will ensure that considered and informed decisions can be made in the context of the Scottish budget for 2025-26.

Photo of Elizabeth Smith Elizabeth Smith Conservative

In relation to the Scottish National Party’s new deal for business, ministers promised “Meaningful communication”, “Evidence-based decision making” and “no surprises” to the business community. Why is it that, nearly a year on, retailers are saying that they have been left in the dark when it comes to the possibility of this surtax? There has been no cost benefit analysis and no business and regulatory impact assessment. Does the cabinet secretary recognise that, if the proposal were to go ahead, we would have the highest business rates in the United Kingdom, with the resulting burdens that that would place on costs and shop prices?

Photo of Shona Robison Shona Robison Scottish National Party

There has been engagement with the Scottish Government and retailers. A number of retailers have reported how a public health supplement could impact their business, which is of course being considered as part of the exploration of the policy. As part of the commitment to the new deal for business, to which Liz Smith referred, we are committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders, including retail businesses, to ensure that the impact of any proposals on business is fully understood. Ministers have discussed the reintroduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement in meetings with stakeholders and in other forums, and that will continue to be the case.