Halt hospitality non-domestic rates increase in Scotland as Northern Ireland abandons revaluation for hospitality for 2026.
Following the news that the non-domestic rates revaluation of the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland has been paused, the Scottish Hospitality Group has called upon the Scottish Government to take similar action to halt any increases for licensed hospitality businesses in Scotland.
NI Executive Finance Minister John O’Dowd has today announced he has stopped the Revaluation 2026 process because of the concerns raised by business, particularly hotels, pubs and other hospitality businesses.
Scotland’s licensed hospitality businesses are facing eye-watering non-domestic bills also.
The Scottish Government has already accepted there is an issue with valuation methodology in Scotland but the revaluation 2026 rate rises are going ahead regardless.
Stephen Montgomery, Director and Spokesperson for SHG said;
“There is no point tinkering with this broken rates system in the way it affects our sector any longer. The inflation-busting rises faced by licensed hospitality in Scotland are simply unaffordable and unacceptable. Northern Ireland are showing it is possible to pause, and they are the first administration to see sense and abandon the whole calamitous revaluation.
“We demand that the Scottish Government halt any increases in rates bills for licensed hospitality.
“There shall be a review of valuation methodology, but the conclusions may come too late for businesses faced with eye-watering increases in April. Would it not be fairer and better for the economy to halt any increases in rates bills now, and let the review do its work?
“This would mean that no business was facing an increase whilst the review was underway.
“We need real political leadership in helping licensed hospitality during the cost of business crisis. So far the Scottish Government response to the revaluation impact is woefully inadequate.”
Links
‘Relief for pubs and hotels as rates revaluation halted”
https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/news/finance-minister-halts-reval-2026-process
Finance Minister halts Reval 2026 process
https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/news/finance-minister-halts-reval-2026-process
Further information
NDR Methodology Review
“Recognising the ongoing concerns raised by the licensed hospitality sector on the valuation methodology applied to non-domestic property in this sector, we will commission an independent review to report by the end of 2026 and consider any recommendations in advance of the 2029 revaluation cycle.”
Programme for Government – Scottish Government