Big rise in Scottish firms appealing rates

The number of businesses appealing against their rates assessment is up by 40% in some parts of Scotland.

Companies had until the end of September to challenge this year's non-domestic rates revaluation if they felt they were unfair.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) had said some businesses' rates rose by more than 200% this year.

However, the Scottish government said 60% of businesses were better or no worse off following the revaluation.

It said more than half of all firms were benefiting from reliefs and discounts worth £2.4bn over five years.

Appeal procedure

Many companies claimed this year's rates calculation was unfair because they were valued in March 2008 - when the economy was more buoyant.

They were also unhappy that transitional relief - which allowed big rates increases to be phased in - was scrapped.

Business rates are calculated every five years to determine what businesses should pay for central and local government services.

Last week, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said he understood that when revaluations took place there would always be businesses who disagreed with the valuation the independent assessor set for their property.

He said well established procedures were in place to deal with appeals.