Commenting as the Scottish Chambers of Commerce call on the Scottish Government to introduce a transitional relief scheme for business rates, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Mike Rumbles said:

"Liberal Democrats stand together with Scottish businesses in the fight against unfair rates increases.

"The Scottish Government has put a huge number of businesses in Scotland in a very difficult position with many facing vast hikes in their rates bills without any kind of transitional relief scheme.

"Liberal Democrats demanded that rates increases were capped at 12.5% but this was rejected by the SNP and Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament.

"A transitional scheme has been introduced south of the border and is helping businesses weather the storm of the recession.

"The SNP must change its policy towards a transitional scheme and not hit hard pressed businesses even further."