Trump's Turnberry hotel receives £110,000 business rates rebate

The Trump Turnberry hotel has received a £109,530 business rates rebate as part of an emergency bailout plan for Scottish hospitality firms.

The rebate plan was intended to help struggling businesses in Scotland, but has been criticised for aiding profitable businesses such as Donald Trump's Turnberry hotel.

The payment, uncovered by the Guardian, has led to a 13.5% reduction in the hotels' annual business rates bill, which was £811,850.

Opposition MSPs told the paper that the rebate was not intended for thriving businesses.

Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie said: "Trump's brand is toxic. It's bad enough that he has a business presence in Scotland. It's galling to learn that the public purse is giving him a helping hand."

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald added: "The Turnberry case highlights the unfairness of the current system and the urgent need for reform."

The news comes as the Scottish government yesterday published the Barclay Review into business rates in the country, which has made proposals including the cutting of the revaluation period to three years and suggested a one-year delay before rates liability is incurred when a property is improved.

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