Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 March 2026 [Draft]
18 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
High Streets and Town Centres (West Scotland)
I recognise that many of our towns face challenges with vacant buildings, which is why we are continuing our long-standing commitment to regeneration, with investment of up to £52 million in the next financial year.
Since 2014, we have provided almost £169 million of capital regeneration investment for local authorities in the West Scotland region. Some of that has supported town centre revitalisation through the transformation of empty properties and the enabling of community ownership.
There is also support for local authorities to address vacant retail spaces, through a non-domestic rates relief package. Two schemes in particular—the fresh start and business growth accelerator reliefs—support the reuse or repurposing of vacant properties.
In the same item of business
2. Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support high streets and town centres in the West Scotland region, in light of reported issues, in...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes)
SNP
I recognise that many of our towns face challenges with vacant buildings, which is why we are continuing our long-standing commitment to regeneration, with i...
Paul O’Kane
Lab
I thank the Deputy First Minister for that answer, and in doing so, I acknowledge that this will be her last portfolio question time. I say to her: beannachd...
Kate Forbes
SNP
That is definitely an issue of concern to us. We have looked at a number of different options to try to resolve the issue of empty properties, which is large...
Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Businesses in my West Scotland region are under immense pressure thanks to increased employer national insurance contributions from the UK Labour Government,...
Kate Forbes
SNP
That is why we have the most generous rates relief anywhere in the UK, including some of the most ambitious support, through the small business bonus scheme....