The Scottish Conservatives said the SNP’s flagship business rates review has descended into “complete chaos” after its chair resigned on becoming Scotland’s new Solicitor General.
BJ Gill KC successor to lead the review is yet to be appointed and the Conservatives have expressed concern that there is lack of urgency to make progress.
A Freedom of Information request by the party revealed that the review group has met only four times, most recently just before May’s Holyrood election, and there are no further meetings scheduled.
The Tories say this is despite the SNP’s original timeline showing that report-writing should be taking place now before being submitted to SNP ministers in August, ahead of a final decision being made in the budget.
Conservative business spokesperson Rachael Hamilton said: “The SNP’s business rates review is in complete chaos. Ministers told businesses to wait for the Gill review, but clearly had no Plan B if its chair departed for a new opportunity.
“Weeks have now passed since BJ Gill was made Scotland’s new Solicitor General, but still nobody has been put in place to replace him.
“Scottish Conservative research also reveals the review group hasn’t met in two months – and has no plans to do so. A report was meant to be submitted to ministers next month, but this is surely now not going to happen given the review has no leader.
“This shambolic situation sums up the SNP’s utter contempt for Scotland’s businesses and is exactly why they have lost faith in the system. The SNP keep promising changes, but all they are delivering is more delays, confusion and eye-watering rates rises.
“Scottish businesses need urgent support now, instead of ministers hiding behind endless reviews that they cannot even keep on track.”
The Scottish government was contacted for comment.
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