Call to give local newspapers a tax break
A tax break for local newspapers should be looked into as a matter of urgency, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
This week, as part of the Budget, the Chancellor announced a review of business rates for weekly titles down south. Now, the party are calling for the Scottish Government to look into these measures immediately - to revive a dwindling newspaper industry. The review in England is due to look at whether such newspapers could be partially exempted from business rates.
According to recent figures, every one of Scotland’s paid for local weekly titles saw sales of their print editions decline, year-on-year. And it’s widely thought that a relief in business rates would help the local newspaper sector recover.
The Scottish Newspaper Society is also pushing for the Scottish Government to look into the issue.
“We’re supporting the Scottish Newspaper Society in their quest to push for a similar move in Scotland.
“Local news is at the heart of our local communities, people rely on weekly titles for news and views.
“Without a doubt local newspapers are an incredible source of information and make local government and other public figures accountable to the public. Without them we’d be lost.
“We want the Scottish Government to look into a review of business rates as a matter of urgency to revive a flagging and much-loved industry.”