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Independent retailers across Scotland have been left disappointed by the Scottish Budget, with Bira warning that the measures announced fall short of what is needed to protect high streets from further decline.

Bira said the Budget missed a crucial opportunity to deliver meaningful business rates reform at a time when many small retailers are already under severe financial pressure.

The Scottish Government yesterday confirmed a reduction in the basic property rate to 48.1p, the intermediate property rate to 53.3p and the higher property rate to 54.8p. It also announced a 15 per cent relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with a rateable value of up to £100,000, capped at £110,000 per business per year, for 2026 to 27.

Further measures include transitional relief to cap increases in non domestic rates bills following revaluation, the continuation of the Small Business Bonus Scheme at current thresholds for the next three years, and a new 100 per cent relief for eligible electric vehicle charging points from April 2026.

However, Bira said these measures do not go far enough to address the reality facing independent retailers.