Perthshire Chamber chief calls for “meaningful assistance” from Scottish Government as First Minister visits Perth

dailyrecord.co.uk:

First minister Nicola Sturgeon promised the SNP will “do everything it can” to support struggling Perthshire businesses hammered by the pandemic.

As she visited the city on the campaign trail, ahead of the May 5 council elections, Ms Sturgeon told the PA that more financial help could be on the cards.

She said: “In terms of support for businesses through business rates we already in Scotland have the most generous systems of business rates relief.“One of the things we are committing to in this election is to continue the small business bonus which takes about 100,000 businesses out of business rates altogether.“So we will look for all opportunities to help businesses.“It is right to say that just as it is having an impact on individuals the rise in energy costs is having an impact on businesses too.“We will certainly want to work with the business community here in Scotland to make the case to the UK Government that they should be doing more to help.” Chair of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, Vicki Unite, had called for “meaningful assistance” from the Scottish and UK Governments after the remaining legal requirement to wear face coverings ended yesterday.

She said the restrictions previously placed on retail and hospitality businesses as well as the cost-of-living crisis has contributed to owners being left in “desperate straits”.It comes as Nicola Sturgeon has been reported to police after footage apparently captured her breaching Scotland’s COVID face mask measures during a visit to a South Lanarkshire barbers on Saturday.Ms Unite said: “With consumers tightening their belts, and companies being forced to hike their prices in light of rising inflation and costs, it is clearly time for some meaningful assistance from