Attempt to restore Scottish councils’ business rate powers fails

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A bid to give back Scottish local authorities the power to set business rate levels has foundered.

Green MSP Andy Wightman thought he had garnered support from the Labour and Conservative Parties for an amendment to the Non Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill, which would have allowed councils to set the poundage rate and impose additional levies and supplements on retailers.

However, in a vote in the Scottish Parliament, Labour and Conservative MSPs joined with the SNP to vote against the amendment.