Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 17 December 2025
17 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motion
I wish to add to the proposed business a ministerial statement on the forthcoming rates revaluation. I have intimated the substance of my argument to Mr Dey, Mr McKee and the First Minister. If the draft valuations for several sectors were to take effect from next April, they would result in the mass closure of thousands of Scottish businesses and threaten the viability of high streets.
I gather from Stephen Montgomery of the Scottish Hospitality Group that the increases in values for some hotels and pubs are up to 300 per cent. However, I wish to direct my remarks towards the self-catering sector. There are 16,513 such properties in Scotland and they face an average increase of 120 per cent and, in some cases, increases of up to 300 per cent.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-20199, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a busi...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind)
Ind
I wish to add to the proposed business a ministerial statement on the forthcoming rates revaluation. I have intimated the substance of my argument to Mr Dey,...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Is Fergus Ewing aware that, this morning, the Scottish Conservatives met with organisations, including the Scottish Hospitality Group, UKHospitality Scotland...
Fergus Ewing
Ind
I think that there should be a cross-party approach, and I gather that there is a good prospect that that is what is going to happen. It is the right thing t...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
I understand what Fergus Ewing said about the difference between the assessors in England and the assessors in Scotland, but, as the Scottish ministers will ...
Fergus Ewing
Ind
Indeed so. That is why the solution is not rates relief or tinkering around with the valuations—there is not enough time to do that. The solution is postponi...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am seeking parliamentary time to scrutinise the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture on the findings of Audit Scotland’s sectio...
Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I rise as the convener of the Public Audit Committee. Is Stephen Kerr aware that the Public Audit Committee will be taking evidence on this section 22 report...
Stephen Kerr
Con
I did not realise that there were limitations to the scrutiny of Parliament. I did not realise that it was somehow out of order for a cabinet secretary to be...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mr Kerr. You must conclude.
Stephen Kerr
Con
It is the cabinet secretary’s responsibility, and he is answerable to Parliament. Therefore, I strongly suggest to the Minister for Parliamentary Business an...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call the minister to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. 17:29
The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey)
SNP
The Scottish Government very much recognises the importance of the self-catering accommodation sector, and the hospitality sector more broadly, to Scotland’s...
Rachael Hamilton
Con
I recognise that the Parliament is under huge pressure with legislative requirements. However, an increase in rateable values of up to 300 per cent, as we ha...
Graeme Dey
SNP
I have already identified the importance that Ivan McKee places on the matter. However, I point out to Rachael Hamilton that we constantly hear from members,...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that motion S6M-20199 be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 6 Jan...