Scottish Government Economy Bulletin

The Economy Bulletin brings you Scottish Government news and information to ensure you are up to date with the latest policy developments. Please share with your networks.

Panel appointed to review 2026 NDR revaluation outcomes

Plans have been announced by the Scottish Government to appoint an independent panel to review the outcome of the 2026 non-domestic rates revaluation following reports of inconsistent property valuations. 

The panel will consider any potential anomalies and report its findings within three months of being appointed. It was also announced that vape shops will lose eligibility for rates relief from April 2027. 

Discussions with business groups, assessors and local authorities will continue as part of a wider review of the business rates system.

Separately, Solicitor General BJ Gill KC Advocate Depute has resigned as Chair of the independent review of the valuation methodology for licensed hospitality properties, and arrangements will be made for a successor.

UK-India Free Trade Agreement

The UK-India Free Trade Agreement is expected to come into force on 15 July 2026.

The agreement offers new opportunities for Scottish exporters through reduced tariffs on goods such as Scotch whisky and improved market access for services including finance, professional services and education. 

Against this backdrop, the Scotland–India Business Forum on 30 July, co-organised by the Scottish Government, the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh and the UK India Business Council, has sold out, reflecting strong business interest in the agreement. 

The event will bring together key stakeholders from Scotland and India for panel discussions on the practical implications and opportunities arising from the deal.

Transforming Business Support 

Public sector organisations across Scotland are being brought together through the Business Support Partnership (BSP) to create a simpler, more connected system of business support.

The BSP is moving from planning into design and delivery, focusing on high-impact outcomes aligned to Public Service Reform.

Work is currently progressing across three key workstreams: 

• Shared Digital Journey: which is designing a simpler, more joined-up “front door” to public sector business support; 
• Master Customer Record: which is moving into procurement and delivery to create a single shared view of businesses for better targeting, insight and decision-making;
• Measurement and Reporting: which is developing a consistent framework to measure impact and monitor performance across partners.

A fourth workstream focussed on Delivery and Optimisation of Support will move back into delivery later in 2026. 

BSP partners include Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Government, VisitScotland, Skills Development Scotland, Creative Scotland, Business Gateway, and Scottish Local Authorities through SLAED and COSLA. 

For further information please contact BusinessSupportPartnership@scotent.co.uk

Non-Domestic Revaluation Roll deadline

Property owners and occupiers have until 31 July 2026 to submit a proposal against their property entry in the 2026 Non-Domestic Revaluation Roll where they consider the entry to be incorrect.

Proposals can be made online through the Scottish Assessors Association website, which also provides guidance videos and Valuation practice notes to support applicants.
For further information, visit the Scottish Assessors website, scan the QR code on your Revaluation Notice, or contact your local Assessor.

Scottish Aggregates Tax

The Scottish Aggregates Tax (SAT) is now live. 

Stakeholders in the construction industry should be aware that the legislation requires businesses to purchase primary aggregates (crushed rock, sand and gravel) only from SAT-registered taxpayers. If not, they may become liable for the tax themselves.

More information can be found here.

New food promotion guidance published

Businesses are being given help to prepare for Scotland’s new Food Promotions and Placement Regulations which come into force on 1 October 2026.

New implementation guidance has been developed with input from business and enforcement stakeholders which sets out the requirements businesses will need to comply with under the new rules. 

Businesses, trade associations and representative organisations are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the guidance and share it with those affected.

Free migration webinar 

Employers are invited to join a free webinar on Wednesday 15 July 2026, 13:00–14:00 focusing on right to work checks within the UK’s digital immigration system.

Hosted by Scotland’s Migration Service, in partnership with Seraphus, the session will cover the shift to e-Visas, including online and manual checking processes, how to use share codes, common compliance risks, and key considerations for sponsored workers and international students. 

It will also offer practical tips to help businesses adapt recruitment and onboarding processes.

Short-Term Lets licence reminder

Premises requiring a short-term lets licence are advised that they are only eligible for the Small Business Bonus Scheme or Self Catering Transitional Relief if they have obtained one first.

This supports the Scottish Government’s commitment to a fair and transparent regulatory and non-domestic rates system. 

100,000 connections bring faster broadband to Scotland

More than 100,000 faster broadband connections have now been delivered to businesses and homes across Scotland.

Through the Scottish Government’s £600+ million Reaching 100% (R100) programme, including the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS), faster and more reliable broadband is reaching communities across the country, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

Find out more about the R100 programme.

Carbon Contracts to Support Peatland Restoration

Applications are now open for Carbon Contracts, a blended finance mechanism designed to attract private investment into peatland restoration projects.

By providing a guaranteed minimum price for future Peatland Carbon Units, Carbon Contracts reduce investor risk while allowing projects to benefit from higher market prices, creating greater certainty around future revenues.

Available alongside peatland ACTION grants in 2026, Carbon Contracts can strengthen project business cases, attract private finance and help scale up restoration activity in support of Scotland’s nature and net zero ambitions.

Application guidance is available on the NatureScot website.

Community Wealth Building legislation passed

The Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 was passed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2026, introducing a new framework to pursue sustainable growth whilst tackling economic and wealth inequalities. 

The legislation requires Scottish Ministers, local authorities, and public sector organisations to increase the creation, circulation and retention of wealth within local and regional economies.

Scottish Ministers will publish a statement outlining actions to support Community Wealth Building objectives, while local authority-led partnerships will be required to publish action plans within three years of the Act’s commencement. 

Have your say - requests for engagement and action

UK Employment Rights Act 2025

Businesses are being encouraged to engage with consultations on the Employment Rights Act 2025 to help ensure Scottish perspectives are reflected.

Consultations that are currently open include:

• Misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) (closes 8 July).
• Ending one-sided flexibility – reforms of zero hours contracts and similar contracts (closes 25 August 2026) 
• Employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children (closes 1 September 2026).
• Time off for public duties (closes 4 September 2026).

Measures in the Act will be implemented in phases during 2026-27 and the UK Government has launched guidance for businesses and workers on the Act.