Additional support for businesses announced

A new package of measures has been announced to extend the Small Business Grant Scheme to ensure that, in addition to 100% grant of the first property, small business rate payers will be eligible to a 75% grant on all subsequent properties.

This follows pressure from various organisations on the Scottish Government, who had previously made the decision to give out grants on a one per business basis, rather than one per property as elsewhere in the UK.

The grant scheme was originally set up as “one grant per ratepayer” to allow funding for a wider range of businesses. Kate Forbes, the Finance Secretary, has urged businesses to claim this help, only if “absolutely necessary”.

EPC Minimum Ratings Suspended Indefinitely

The introduction of the Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 have been delayed indefinitely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The regulations, requiring a minimum EPC rating of E at the start on a tenancy from 1st October, were due to come into force on 1st April.

Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning has stated that the new duties and responsibilities placed on local authorities between now and October meant they would need to develop a system for registering exemptions and enforce compliance, which would be a detrimental burden on Local Authorities at a time where their focus should be on frontline emergency responses to the COVID-19 crisis.

He stated it would be “unwise” to bring the regulations into force from 1st April, but will push forward with improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector as soon as the Covid-19 situation comes to an end.

‍