Rates relief bid is backed

A controversial proposal to slash rates relief for empty commercial properties has been backed by MSPs.

Scottish Government legislation aims to cut the discount on some empty properties from 50% to just 10%.

The Scottish Council for Development and Industry has warned that the measure could have a "negative economic impact".

Members of Holyrood's Local Government and Regeneration Committee conceded that the proposal attracted "significant opposition from the business sector".

But they recommended that MSPs approve the legislation in principle, although Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell dissented and called for the measure to be scrapped.

The committee said: "The Scottish Government must ensure it maintains the correct balance between regeneration, revenue raising and the impact on business and economic recovery."

Local Government Minister Derek Mackay has told MSPs the change would cost councils £1.7 million and the NHS £300,000 in increased rates bills.

It has now recommended that the Government "monitors carefully the impact on the public sector in general and on local authorities in particular".