Scots polluter pays levy is 'fraught with danger'
Scottish Government plans to impose a social responsibility tax on pubs within the new Alcohol Act are "fraught with danger", according to the Scottish Licensed Trade Association - and could see blameless premises paying a hefty tax on top of their business rates.
The scheme has also been attacked by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, which has warned the system will be fatally flawed if it's based on the level of complaints.
A main trade concern is that local authorities, currently forming their responses to the plan, will each be able to devise widely fluctuating local systems.
The idea of a levy was originally trailed by justice minister Kenny MacAskill on "the polluter pays" principle, and aimed to exact money from late night premises to pay for policing, taxi stewards and other measures in town centres.
It became part of the Bill that included the defeated minimum pricing policy and - still undefined - is on course to become legislation.
SLTA chief executive Paul Waterson said: "There's the whole question of who is to administer it, and how these people will know which outlets are involved in schemes like Best Bar None.
"If someone has committed an actual offence then there are plenty of laws and sanctions to deal with that - the whole concept is redundant."
The Federation of Small Businesses has also attacked the vagueness of the plan, warning the levy could be applied to almost any premises regardless of how conscientious they are.
Aberdeen licensing board convener Councillor Muriel Jaffrey told The Publican: "We have a special meeting to decide our response next week, and there's no question it will be a political hot potato - I think all councillors think the Scottish Government has been wrong to leave things so vague.
Edinburgh licensing board has suggested handing half of the levy back to licensees who are seen as operating well, but this has been attacked by the trade organisations as an administrative nightmare.
And Glasgow has responded to the consultation on the levy by asking the Scottish Government to clarify key details.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The Scottish Parliament has approved our proposals for a social responsibility levy which will ensure that those who make money out of alcohol sales will be required to give something back to benefit communities and further improve Scotland's health.
"An initial consultation is currently underway as part of the work to determine the details of how the levy will work.
