Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 February 2016
24 Feb 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Renewables Industry (Business Rates Relief)
Rural Affairs, Food and Environment
This has been a difficult decision in a very difficult budget. The renewables industry in Scotland has benefited from relief since 2010, uniquely in the UK. We have had to target our stretched funds to those who are most in need, including community schemes, while balancing the needs of the renewables sector with those of other non-domestic rates payers.
We do not expect the renewables projects that will no longer receive rates relief to stop generating, as their main source of income generation will be via the feed-in tariff or the renewables obligation. We do not expect there to be any impact on existing projects or the role that they play in providing low-carbon, cost-effective energy as part of a balanced generation mix.
In the same item of business
1. Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the environmental impact of cutting business rates relief for the renewables industry. (S...
The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod)
SNP
The Scottish Government does not expect any environmental impact.
Ken Macintosh
Lab
I thank the minister for her reply, although I am surprised by it. Her colleague Margaret Burgess MSP has confirmed that the Government is going to cut £10 m...
Aileen McLeod
SNP
This has been a difficult decision in a very difficult budget. The renewables industry in Scotland has benefited from relief since 2010, uniquely in the UK. ...