STA Reaction: Scottish Government Budget Statement 2025-26

Responding to yesterday’s (Wednesday 4 December) Scottish Government Budget Statement 2025-26, Marc Crothall MBE, CEO of the Scottish Tourism Alliance said:

“While the business rates relief measures announced in today’s Scottish Budget will provide comfort for many smaller hospitality businesses, we are however very disappointed that those tourism and hospitality businesses facing the biggest cost burden have been overlooked. In fact, businesses in the intermediate and higher property rate bracket will be paying even more due to the increase in poundage.

“The rise in National Insurance employer contributions will already leave those with the highest wage bills vulnerable and exposed. With no measures to immediately ease mounting financial burdens, many will be forced re-evaluate their business models and will be left at a competitive disadvantage compared to their counterparts over the border.

“We were pleased however to see our Budget ask to restore VisitScotland funding, with crucial investment going towards supporting greater seasonality and wider distribution of tourism activity across Scotland, but we remain cautious about whether our larger tourism and hospitality businesses will be able to meet this greater demand after today’s Budget.

“We will continue to have ongoing engagement with Scottish Government and on how best to support all of our tourism and hospitality businesses.”