A TORY councillor is claiming the SNP administration is strangling business growth in Glasgow.

Councillor Thomas Kerr's comments come after a recent report said almost two shops a week closed in Glasgow in 2018.

The city council's Conservative group are calling on the administration to lower business rates to help the retail sector thrive.

Councillor Kerr said: “From the proposed car park tax to the introduction of Sunday parking charges, the SNP administration is strangling business growth in Glasgow.

“This is on top of the income tax rises introduced by their colleagues in Holyrood that have made Scotland the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom. It’s no wonder that retailers are feeling the squeeze when the SNP’s policies are actively dampening consumer spending.”

The Tory group is supporting Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Dean Lockhart’s Save our High Street campaign which suggests solutions to support Glasgow high streets including cutting business rates, freeing up planning restrictions in town centres and increasing the use of public procurement to support local economies.

Conservative councillors are calling on the SNP to rethink its business growth strategy following the recent tax rises.

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has warned that SNP policy is costing Scottish shops an extra £14 million per year. The SRC Director, David Lonsdale, is calling for a “restoration” of the level playing field with England in order to boost business confidence and investment north of the border.

However the administration hit back arguing shopping trends will increase.

A council spokesman said: “2018 was an exceptionally successful year in terms of office take-up in Glasgow - the best since 2006.

“The levels of take-up are expected to accelerate from the second quarter onwards. In terms of shopping trends, we are very aware of the retail market changing and are doing everything in our power to ensure Glasgow city centre retains its ranking as the busiest shopping destination in the UK outside of London’s West End.

“Initiatives such as such as the high street area strategy, the city centre lane strategy, autism aware Glasgow and the city centre living Strategy will make the city centre a more attractive place for people to visit and shop and for retailers and developers to invest in.”