The Scottish Government-commissioned report on non-domestic business rates by the Barclay review group, published today, recommends a new 100 per cent business rate relief be introduced for nurseries to support childcare provision.
The proposed rate relief, which would come into effect from next April and be evaluated after three years, would, according to the report, save the childcare sector around £8m a year.
The recommendation follows a revaluation of business rates this April, which have resulted in a ‘steep rise’ in rates for a lot of nurseries in Scotland, England and Wales, threatening their sustainability.
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) reported its Scottish members saw typical increases of 50 per cent in Aberdeen and more than 70 per cent in Edinburgh. One nursery in Renfrewshire was said to be facing a 215 per cent rise.
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