Scottish business to get competitive tax advantage

Scottish first minister Jack McConnell has pledged to lower Scotland's business rates in line with England, and consider making a specific reduction in business rates for companies which are R&D intensive.

The move to reduce business rate poundage to England's levels, combined with the lower valuations in Scotland, will effectively mean that Scottish companies will pay lower business rates than those south of the border, giving Scotland a competitive tax advantage. This is clearly the intention.

"It is time to secure greater competitive advantage for Scotland...

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