Helping Scottish businesses

Businesses in Banff & Buchan, and Scotland as a whole, are coming under increasing pressure as a result of the current economic problems afflicting the Country.

In Scotland, the SNP Government is making a real difference to small businesses through the Small Business Bonus scheme. Since April this year, businesses with a combined rateable value of up to £8, 000 have seen their projected rate bill slashed by 80%, and from next year they will pay nothing. In Aberdeenshire alone, 6, 839 businesses will soon no longer face the burden of paying rates, increasing their profitability and viability in these difficult times. Businesses with a combined rateable value between £8, 000 and £15, 000 have already seen reductions in their rates bills and from next year will have seen them cut by between 25-50% helping a further 1, 141 businesses in Aberdeenshire.

Through the business rate bonus and freeze in council tax across Scotland the SNP Government has taken decisive action to help Scottish families during these unprecedented economic times.

However, more must be done and Westminster must live up to its responsibility to help hard working families. Soaring fuel bills remain the responsibility of Gordon Brown’s Government and action is needed to help hard pressed families cope with the threat of fuel poverty. That is why the SNP has called for VAT on fuel to be suspended over the colder months, an extra £100 for pensioners to cope with winter fuel bills, and a cut in VAT on energy efficiency products. This would make a tangible difference to those being hit hardest by current economic problems.

Tourism growing on the Banffshire Coast

Despite the difficult economic times we are facing, one business sector that has continued to grow on the Banffshire Coast in the last year is the tourism industry. According to research undertaken by the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership, for the second year running there was an increase in the levels of trade enjoyed by the 70 businesses involved in the partnership
With Homecoming Scotland 2009 fast approaching, I sincerely hope that the sector will enjoy even greater success next year. The Homecoming celebrations will mark the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth with a celebration of Scotland’s contributions to the world: Burns himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and our rich culture and heritage.

In the Banffshire area, events such as the traditional boat festival at Portsoy, the Turriff show and the Coast visual arts festival at Banff and Macduff will all incorporate a Homecoming theme.
With people from around the world who are of Scottish descent, Scots living abroad, or who simply feel an affinity with our country invited to ‘come home’ to Scotland, 2009 will be an exceptional year for tourism in Banff & Buchan.