Aug222017

Business rates system ‘needs overhaul, not tinkering round the edges’

Scottish Conservatives
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22 Aug 2017

Murdo Fraser MSP

A review into business rates merely tinkers round the edges when the overhaul of a broken system is required, the Scottish Conservatives have said.

The Barclay Review, released today, sought to address concerns from businesses of all sizes across the country about the current regime.

It follows a revaluation earlier this year which sent various firms to the brink, with some facing astronomical increases in tax.

And while the report by Ken Barclay contains some welcome measures, shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said the changes don’t go far enough for many.

He said the hospitality sector would require more assistance, and with the current 15 per cent rates rise cap running out in March, many could find themselves in the same difficult position in 2018, meaning the prospect of closures and job losses in the industry.

Concern was also expressed about proposals to levy rates on sports clubs and council arm’s-length bodies, which hardly tie in with Scottish Government plans to get people more active.

Moves to levy rates on independent schools could also harm economies in certain parts of the country, and impact the quality of education at some of Scotland’s best facilities.

However, the suggestion to bring the large business supplement in line with the rest of the UK has been welcomed, with the Scottish Conservatives having called on this move for some time.

Other proposals to encourage business growth and keep shops in town centres are also worthy inclusions, the party said.

Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said:

“There are many welcome proposals within this report.

“But many firms will feel this is tinkering round the edges of a broken system, rather than the fundamental overhaul that’s required.

“The hospitality sector, whose safeguard of a 14.9 per cent cap runs out in March, will be worried that history will repeat itself next year.

“If that industry is hit with the kind of increases suggested last time around, it would almost certainly mean the closure of businesses and job losses.

“Proposals around independent schools and sports clubs will also have alarm bells ringing in those sectors.

“But there are also many welcome additions, and I hope the Scottish Government prioritises recommendations to bring the large business supplement in line with the rest of the UK, and the measures to boost town centres and business growth more generally.”

To see the full report, visit:
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00523643.pdf

Aug222017

Daily News 22 / 08 /2017

EU

Italy earthquake: EU ready to provide assistance

Today, following the earthquake on the island of Ischia of Italy, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has issued the following statement: “Today our heart is in Italy, with the Italian people and authorities. Once again the country has sadly suffered another deadly earthquake, this time on the island of Ischia, with initial reports of casualties and damages to infrastructures including hospitals and churches. We offer our condolences to families and friends who have lost loved ones. The EU is fully ready to help. Our 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in immediate contact with the Italian Civil Protection authorities since the early hours. We stand ready to provide any immediate assistance the national authorities could require. The EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite mapping system is also available to help the national civil protection authorities. Let me commend the brave first responders working tirelessly on the scene to save lives. They are an example for us all.” The full statement is available in English and Italian. A factsheet on how the EU can help countries affected by natural disasters is available here. Photos and video stockshots of the EU’s Emergency Centre are also available. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

 

L’UE investit dans un réseau moderne de distribution d’eau en Roumanie

Près de 66,5 millions d’euros du Fonds de Cohésion sont investis dans deux grands projets d’infrastructure de gestion de l’eau en Roumanie. La Commissaire à la politique régionale Corina Crețu a commenté: “Chaque euro de la politique de Cohésion investi dans ces projets contribue à améliorer nettement la qualité de vie en Roumanie. Une eau potable plus saine et accessible et un environnement mieux protégé; voilà un nouvel exemple d’une Europe qui se soucie du bien-être de ses citoyens.” Dans le comté de Mehedinți, dans le Sud-Ouest du pays, 39 millions d’euros sont investis dans l’amélioration des systèmes de distribution et de traitement de l’eau, avec notamment la réhabilitation de 7 sources d’eau potable, la construction de 8 réservoirs de stockage et des travaux sur un réseau de de distribution d’eau et d’égout de plus de 200 km. Près de 140 000 personnes bénéficieront de ce projet, qui devrait être achevé à la fin de 2019. Dans le comté d’Arad, à l’Ouest du pays, 27,5 millions d’euros financent aussi un meilleur accès à l’eau potable et gestion des eaux usées, avec notamment la réfection et l’extension de 15 km de réseau de distribution d’eau et la modernisation de 6 usines de traitement des eaux résiduaires. Près de 253 000 habitants profiteront d’une eau plus saine et d’un environnement préservé. Plus d’informations sur les fonds européens en Roumanie sont disponibles sur la plateforme Open Data. (Pour plus d’informations: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tel.: +32 229 56169)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Arzignanese and Pasubio by CVC

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Arzignanese S.r.l and Pasubio S.p.A, both of Italy, by CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS S.A. of Luxembourg.  Arzignanese and Pasubio are active in the tanning of leather and the production of finished leather products for use in various sectors, including automotive interiors, furniture and luxury goods. CVC provides advice to and manages investment funds and platforms. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because it did not find any horizontal or actual vertical overlaps between the activities of Arzignanese and Pasubio and those of CVC or the portfolio companies of CVC Funds. Any potential vertical overlaps would not be material. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8573. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of sole control of Visma by HgCapital

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Visma AS of Norway by HgCapital of the UK. Visma is active in developing and providing a diverse portfolio of IT services, business software and web hosting solutions. HgCapital is a private equity investment firm. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns taking into account that HgCapital already had control over Visma prior to the transaction and that the transaction is a change from joint to sole control. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8579. In 2014, the Commission approved the acquisition of joint control over Visma by HgCapital, KKR and Cinven in case M.7280. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)

Aug222017

Italy earthquake: Statement by Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides

EU

Today our heart is in Italy, with the Italian people and authorities.

Once again the country has sadly suffered another deadly earthquake, this time on the island of Ischia, with initial reports of casualties and damages to infrastructures including hospitals and churches.

We offer our condolences to families and friends who have lost loved ones.

The EU is fully ready to help. Our 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in immediate contact with the Italian Civil Protection authorities since the early hours.

We stand ready to provide any immediate assistance the national authorities could require.

The EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite mapping system is also available to help the national civil protection authorities.

Let me commend the brave first responders working tirelessly on the scene to save lives. They are an example for us all.

Links

Photos: European Commission’s Emergency response centre

Video: European Commission’s Emergency response centre

Factsheet: EU: a world leader in helping those affected by crises

Aug222017

Our action for island communities

SNP

Scotland has over 790 islands and more than 10,000 miles of coastline. Our islands are home to stunning scenery, world-famous whisky distilleries, and fantastic musical and cultural festivals.