Following Tory, Lib Dem and Labour opposition to Finance Secretary John Swinney's plans to increase the levy for large businesses, Glasgow MSP Bob Doris has said that the issue makes the choice for voters at the forthcoming election easier, between big business parties and a party for communities. The Labour Party want to stop the SNP from raising £30m from big businesses through the so called 'Tesco Tax' and instead pass the burden to council tax payers.

Speaking today, Mr Doris said: "Glasgow has a choice this May between a party that supports big business and a party that's keeping household expenses down and supports local shops. Labour are simultaneously arguing that Tesco and Asda should pay less whilst Glasgow householders pay more, as Labour continues to insist on soaring council tax increases. We are arguing the direct opposite, which I think makes it an easy choice for voters.

"I have long argued that small and medium sized retailers need a level playing field to compete with the supermarket chains. A number of the shopping precincts outside the city centre have been in a long term downwards spiral for years, affecting quality of life in the outlying communities. Smaller businesses have struggled for survival whilst the supermarkets have fought out their turf wars and the result is dereliction of once proud communities and civic centres.

"The SNP small business bonus scheme, which Labour don't support, has abolished rates altogether for thousands of small businesses. I think it's only right that our business rates system aims to halt the demise of local centres by correcting the imbalance between large and small retailers. This 'supermarket tax' doesn't even hit the supermarket and large retailers that hard, but it will go some way to redressing the unfair advantage they have enjoyed for so long.

"Only 17 of the 44 affected large retailers in Glasgow are in Glasgow City Centre at either Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street or Buchanan Street. To keep it in perspective, these 17 retailers will be paying more but the other 1,200 businesses located in these 3 streets will not. The remaining 27 are in 'out of town' centres like Silverburn and the Glasgow Fort. These are large premium outlets who can afford to pay more.

"This levy will raise £30m for councils in difficult times and it is reasonable that supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsburys play their part. These costs are at the margins of their profits and only a couple of hours trade at the till will raise the money needed for this levy.

"Politicians in other parties would do well to avoid blatant opportunism and to not over-egg their arguments. If opposition parties insist in opposing the levy to protect big business then they must say where the £30m will be raised instead.

"I have yet to meet an individual or a business that welcomes news of a tax rise. Supermarket objections and ludicrous claims of mass job loses were entirely predictable. However, that these massive supermarket chains should be propped up by the Labour Party at the expense of local shops and council tax payers really is a sign of the times, a sign that Labour are no longer fit to represent this city."

Notes:

Retail Premises in Glasgow who will be affected by the levy.

Argyle Street- Gap, M&S, Evans
Sauchiehall Street- Primark, M&S, Evans, BHS
Buchanan Street- Zara, House of Fraser, New Look, H&M, John Lewis, Boots, Next, HMV, USC, All Saints
Total = 17

Glasgow Fort- Next, Boots, Topshop,( B&Q)
Silverburn- M&S, Debenhams, NEXT, (TESCO)

ASDA- Robroyston, Govan, Forge, Mount Florida
Morrisons- Baillieston, Easterhouse, Shawlands, Paisley Road West, Anniesland
Tesco- Springburn, Shettleston, Maryhill, Silverburn
Costco- Springburn
B&Q- Darnley, The Fort, Great Western Retail Park
Sainsbury- Darnley, Great Western Retail Park.
Others- Wickes, Vogue Furnishers both London Road.