Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Mike Rumbles challenged the First Minister to meet businesses in Ballater hit by the SNP’s refusal to introduce transitional rates relief.

The Ballater Business Association invited the First Minister to meet them on Deeside.

They waited a month for a reply from the First Minister. Despite the Government telling the Press & Journal six days ago that he hadn’t ruled out a visit, the First Minister changed his mind yesterday and told the organisation in a letter that he would not meet them.

Commenting after First Minister’s Questions, Mr Rumbles said:

“Ballater businesses faced increases in business rates between 80 and 140%. His Government did nothing to protect them.

“Sixteen Ballater businesses used to pay £27,000. Now they pay £87,000. Thousands of individual businesses across Scotland face the same problem and the Government ignored them.

“They sent the Enterprise Minister to Ballater last September.

“That proved to be a complete disaster. Indeed the Ballater Business Association described the Minister as “spectacularly useless”.

“Jim Mather told the meeting that businesses should appeal.

“But Grampian’s independent assessor, who was at the meeting, said there was no point.

“Bryn Wayte from the Business Association owns a small bookshop in Ballater. His rates bill went up by £5000 last year.

“He is angry that the First Minister is so “dismissive” and has not answered their questions.

“If the First Minister is so confident that his Government is supporting business, then why is he still refusing to meet seriously threatened businesses in Ballater?”