MSPs have clashed over business rates and what finance secretary Derek Mackay's relief scheme will mean for Clackmannanshire.

Overall, 63 per cent of Wee County businesses will see either no change or a decrease in their bill with relief proposals to support hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafés, thanks to a 12.5 per cent cap on rises in the hospitality sector.

According to figures from the Scottish Parliament, the new relief will benefit 39 out of the around 1,500 business properties in the county directly, providing a £200,000 reduction.

SNP MSP Keith Brown welcomed the announcement and highlighted more establishments will be entitled for support through the small business bonus scheme.

He said: “This announcement by the Scottish Government proves once again the SNP’s commitment to local businesses across Clackmannanshire – with the substantial package of support ensuring that many businesses will not see any rise in the rates that they pay.

“The support for the tourism and hospitality sectors is very welcome – after these industries were left facing substantial hikes in their rates bills.

“The cap of a 12.5 per cent increase provides excellent support to hotels, pubs, restaurants and cafés throughout Clackmannanshire.

“The extension to the small business bonus will see over 100,000 firms across Scotland pay no rates whatsoever, which is a strong package of support for local businesses, and comes in addition to other funding offered in the Scottish Government’s budget, including the £500m Scottish Growth Scheme, and action taken to reduce the rates poundage.

“Overall, 63 per cent of businesses in Clackmannanshire will see either a decrease or no change in the bills that they pay – helping to protect jobs and support firms in Clackmannanshire.

“It is time for the opposition parties to put their political opportunism to one side and to get behind the substantial support that the Scottish Government is proposing.”

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser was a lot more critical, however.

He said: “The finance secretary has been dragged kicking and screaming to the Scottish Parliament, but his announcement of rates relief will only help one in six businesses in Mid Scotland and Fife who are facing rates hikes.

“The SNP have been warned about this crisis for over a month, but repeatedly passed the buck and insisted they couldn’t do anything to help.

“Some businesses will face increases of thousands of pounds and whilst those in the hospitality industry will welcome the 12.5 per cent cap the reality is that other sectors will continue to struggle.”