Aberdeen’s opposition SNP group have accused the ruling council coalition of “walking away” from the business rates crisis after they delayed an announcement on relief until next month.
The nationalists put forward a £4million package in their budget proposals which would have offset many of the rises in rates bills.
Scottish finance secretary, Derek Mackay, announced a £44million range of measures on Tuesday, following outcry from businesses across the country.
This caps at 12.5% the rate rises in the hospitality sector and set a further 12.5% limit on offices in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
However the ruling Labour-led coalition responded they would have to “fully analyse” the government changes before coming forward with their own suggestions.
Under SNP plans, hospitality increases would have been capped at just 3% and a 12.5% cap introduced on factories and shops.
Group leader Stephen Flynn stated: “After spending weeks slagging off the Scottish government, and saying that the government doesn’t care about the local economy, they haven’t included a single penny in their budget to support our local businesses.
“It is shameful and it is a betrayal to every single business person they gave false hope to. ”
But these words met with an angry reaction from other parties in the chamber who argued Mr Mackay had been forced to make his announcement “kicking and screaming”.
Conservative Alan Donnelly said: “I find it rich for the SNP to be claiming credit for solving this crisis when it was responsible for it.”
Council leader, Jenny Laing, added: “In light of the announcement by the Scottish government yesterday, regarding non-domestic rates, it is our intention to have a report brought back to the next finance, policy and resources committee to provide a measured response to the latest developments.”
