Tackling Scotland's Business Rates Crisis

Air Date: March 3rd, 2026

Hosts: Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter

Scotland’s business community is sounding the alarm—and this episode puts the crisis front and centre.

Lord Haughey and Sir Tom are joined by some of the country’s most influential business leaders to confront what many are calling a broken, unfair and unaccountable business rates system.

From eye‑watering 400–500% rate hikes, to stories of bank accounts frozen, investments punished, and jobs put at risk, this is a raw, no‑nonsense conversation about how Scotland’s current approach to non‑domestic rates is choking growth, killing confidence, and threatening the future of high streets and hospitality.

The panel pulls no punches, laying out shocking real‑world examples, exposing a democratic deficit in the assessor system, and offering clear, practical solutions—including freezes, reform, and radical alternatives.

If you care about jobs, investment, or the future of Scottish business, this is an episode you can’t ignore.

Episode Highlights

Eye‑watering rate hikes exposed – real examples of 400–500% increases in business rates, threatening otherwise successful businesses.

Investment punished, not rewarded – owners who invested millions in properties hit with massive uplifts immediately after refurbishment.

Jobs on the line – hundreds of roles at risk as hospitality, retail, and leisure operators warn closures are inevitable if nothing changes.

Bank accounts frozen – shocking account of a council attempting to withdraw £134,000 directly from a business bank account.