"Many Photos" - Queen lodges appeal after Balmoral estate landed with £16,800 bill

The Queen has lodged an appeal against a ‘punitive’ rates increase at her Scottish estate following controversial SNP land reforms.

The Sovereign is appealing the rateable value of the sporting land she owns in Balmoral.

The move comes after she was handed a business rates bill for £16,800 following the Scottish Government’s decision to overhaul the Land Reform Act.

The Sovereign is appealing the rateable value of the sporting land she owns in Balmoral. Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II attends an event to mark the centenary of GCHQ

Part of the Queen's Balmoral Castle Estate in the North East Scottish Highlands

Previously, land used for shooting and deer-stalking had been ineligible for rates but this exemption has been removed by SNP ministers.

It means that the Monarch must, like all other businesses including pubs and shops, pay rates on her land.

It is understood Buckingham Palace is seeking a review over how the rateable value of the property in Balmoral is calculated as it straddles two different local authorities – Aberdeenshire and Angus.

What are the new reforms? 

Areas used for shooting and deer-stalking previously did not have to pay rates on their land. 

Now under SNP rules, like other businesses, landowners now have to start paying tax due to an overhaul in the Land Reform Act. 

The Scottish government reintroduced business rates to land used to shooting and stalking.

Sites across Scotland had previously been exempt under legislation passed by the Tories in 1994.

Business owners across Scotland have been appealing their rates following a 2017 revaluation - the first time in nearly a decade.

Finance minister Derek Mackay had to place a cap on rates in certain sectors, like green energy and hospitality, after some saw bills rise by up to 400 per cent. 

However, they refused to comment on the issue last night.

According to the Scottish Assessors Association, the Queen is appealing the rateable valuation of £22,500 and £12,500 at two sites at Balmoral.

The two sites have a joint business rates bill of £16,800 – based on the valuation by surveyors.

Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Dean Lockhart said: ‘Businesses across Scotland are appealing their punitive rates bills under the SNP.

‘In addition the introduction of the large business rates supplement is making Scotland increasingly uncompetitive.

‘The SNP’s budget will only make this worse and continue to undermine our economy.’

The Scottish Government reintroduced business rates to land used for shooting and stalking after campaigners opposed the exemption – which they claimed unfairly favoured landowners in Scotland.

Sites across Scotland had previously been exempt under legislation passed by the Conservatives in 1994.

However, they now face massive bills based on the size and location of their land. But Green MSP Andy Wightman yesterday claimed the charges are fair.

He said: ‘Bringing shooting estates into non-domestic rates is about fairness and it’s no surprise landowners are seeking to pay as little as possible.’

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with their children, Prince Andrew (centre), Princess Anne (left) and Charles, Prince of Wales sitting on a picnic rug outside Balmoral Castle in Scotland in September 1960

The Queen is now one of thousands of business owners in Scotland who have been forced to appeal their business rates bills following the 2017 revaluation – the first in nearly a decade. This saw some faced with rises of up to 400 per cent before Finance Minister Derek Mackay was forced to place a cap on rates for certain sectors, such as green energy and hospitality, after initially refusing to do so.

The Scottish Government has faced repeated calls for businesses to reform business rates – but Mr Mackay has stopped short of an overhaul.

Earlier this year it was revealed 22,000 businesses in Scotland are having to pay more in rates than their English counterparts because of the SNP’s ‘supertax’.

In 2016 the Scottish Government doubled the Large Business Supplement to 2.6p in the pound. This is added to the rate for businesses where premises are valued at more than £51,000. Elsewhere in the UK, it is 1.3p.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘We wouldn’t comment on matters relating to a private estate.’

 

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News Photo Queen lodges appeal after Balmoral estate landed with £16,800 bill
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