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Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
'Glaswegians are sick and tired of paying more to get less in return'
Perhaps Mr Franklin could also see into the future where left-wing Scottish and UK governments under the SNP and Labour have gone out of their way to ensure that more and more of our hard-earned money ends up in their pockets and not our own. In Scotland, we are taxed at a UK level but also let's not forget that the devolved parliament at Holyrood has chosen to exercise its tax powers many times. Unsurprisingly, this has led to a situation in which ordinary hard-working Scots are taxed at a higher level than others in the UK. I'm not talking about millionaires. This income tax gap between Scots and their counterparts south of the border is hitting people like retail managers, tradespeople, police officers, nurses and teachers; all of whom, and more, are taxed more than their colleagues in England. It is for the Scottish people to decide at next year's Holyrood elections if they are happy with this situation, though, in as far as I see, this extra taxation hasn't resulted in any improvement in public services such as education or health. Glaswegians are sick and tired of paying more to get less in return. I mention this as a segue into the explanation for my vote in favour of a visitor levy tax in Glasgow at last week's City Administration Committee. As a Conservative, I don't like to vote for increases in taxes or, just as bad, the introduction of new ones. However, we have a situation in Scotland where the woeful SNP administration, now nearly two decades old nationally and almost a decade in power here in Glasgow, has taxed hard-working Glaswegians to pip squeaking proportions, while at the same time delivering sub-par services and a city that looks dirty and unloved. Only in February did the same SNP in cahoots with their far-left Green colleagues increase council tax by an eye-watering 7.5%. The SNP government, in an attempt to mitigate their own raiding of local authority funding to pay for giveaways, has allowed such council tax increases but also has given councils powers to raise more funding of their own in order to pay for services. The Visitor Levy is one such scheme, allowing accommodation providers to charge a 5% tax on rooms to those choosing Glasgow as a destination, with the added bonus (for local authorities at least) that the provider will be responsible for the collection and administration of this levy. My concern has always been that already hard-pressed residents would not find themselves burdened by further taxation. The LEZ (Low Emission Zone) is proving to be a bit of a pot of gold for this administration, with the promise of a congestion charge to come. So, it seemed not unreasonable that visitors to Glasgow should pay a contribution to the amenities they enjoy while here. I received assurances that small businesses would be helped with administration difficulties, and the promise that they would be able to hold on to 1.5% of the take to help cover costs (something the anti-business Greens wanted to remove after a period). This satisfied me that the "hit" to local businesses, particularly those running small B&Bs as well as Airbnb providers, would not be significant enough to cause harm to their long-term futures with the policy being constantly reviewed. Opportunists like Reform UK will promise Glaswegians the world but they do not have a plan about how to pay for it. To Glasgow Conservatives like me, who live in the real world, the lesser of two evils was to vote for a levy on visitors, following the path of cities around the UK and the world. That way I hope we can minimise some of the damage the SNP have done to our local services and protect the wallets of already way overtaxed Glaswegians.
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
'Visitor levy in Glasgow could grow city's tourism offer'
If it gets the go-ahead, the visitor levy will increase the cost of an overnight stay in the city by a small percentage. But in doing so it can raise millions of pounds, which will be reinvested in improving the Glasgow experience for visitors and residents alike. We reckon that if we add 5% to an accommodation bill – that's an average of just under £5 per night – then we could raise around £16 million extra income annually. Given the unprecedented pressures on public finances, that's a decent amount of money to help improve our city and its tourism offer. Visitor levies are common across much of the world. Cities such as Barcelona, Lisbon, Berlin, Hamburg and Paris have all introduced similar schemes in recent years and all have had an increase in visitor numbers. Closer to home, after a few years of preparatory work, Edinburgh's visitor levy will come into force next summer. So, there's an opportunity to learn from our colleagues across the M8 as their scheme is implemented. And I know that most major cities south of the border are also exploring the introduction of visitor levies, so it's important that Glasgow isn't left behind. As you would expect with something as significant as the introduction of new local taxation, the opinions expressed within the 1300-plus consultation responses were many and varied. But what came through was a strong agreement that if we go ahead with Glasgow's visitor levy then it has the potential to grow the city's tourism offer, that we can use the extra finances to ensure our culture and events remain world class, and that the levy can support the promotion and visibility of our city across the world. Ultimately all of this adds up to better supporting employment and opportunities in an extremely important sector of our economy. If the paper which I'm taking to Thursday's City Administration Committee is accepted by colleagues, then Glasgow's visitor levy would be in place from the start of 2027, with the first finances collected by April of that year. Councillors from across the political spectrum have long made the case for new powers that can help us better deliver for our communities and for our city. Now that the Government has given us some of those powers, it's time we put them to good use. The visitor levy is no silver bullet to our financial challenges. But those financial challenges aren't going away any time soon. And with the levy we can deliver for our visitors, our businesses and our communities without the onus falling on Glaswegians. Child poverty remains the most acute challenge currently facing Glasgow. If we're to meet these inequalities head-on then we need a collective effort across all levels of government in partnership with our colleagues in the Third Sector. Of course, the UK Government has always had the powers and resources to make the biggest impact. Scrapping the Two Child Cap, for example, would lift nearly half a million children across the UK out of poverty. I'm delighted that colleagues in the Scottish Government will scrap the cap in early 2026. And that alongside the Scottish Child Payment, we're making real inroads into tackling this scourge here in Scotland. The council has its role to play and tomorrow I'll bring a paper to the City Administration Committee asking for approval to release £510,000 to support those families, households and communities who are most vulnerable to the effects of child poverty. The money means we can continue to fund our pioneering financial inclusion officers who are based in schools across Glasgow. These officers provide face-to-face advice on benefits and money to parents of school-age children, as well as guiding them to additional support via the new Glasgow Helps service. And some of the resource will also fund a project that refers people in need to local social enterprise partners so they can access pre-loved clothing, including school uniforms. It can be disheartening that here in 2025 we continue to have to confront the long-standing consequences of inequalities on our city. But the SNP here in Glasgow and across Scotland will not shirk our responsibility in standing up for our poorest and most vulnerable.
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Life's new strategy to increase physical activity
Active Glasgow: A Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Glasgow 2025-2035, developed by Glasgow Life and sector partners, aspires to enhance the lives of Glaswegians through activity and sport. The plan, approved by the City Administration Committee, seeks to integrate sport and physical activity into the daily routines of Glaswegians. (Image: Glasgow Life) Read more: MSP praises Glasgow initiative making equipment accessible to everyone It targets health inequalities and promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion, with success measured by a positive increase in activity levels. Changes in environments, practices, and policies will be monitored in addition to evidence-based shifts in activity levels within targeted communities. Various partners, including sports clubs, health services, educational services, and public health organisations, will collaborate on the strategy's implementation. The strategy has been deemed essential in light of figures revealed around the state of physical wellbeing in Glasgow. Figures have shown that 34% of adults and 31% of children in Glasgow do not meet the NHS's weekly physical activity guidelines. Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council convenor for culture, sport, and international relations, said: "Physical activity and sport have the power to boost mental and physical wellbeing, unite communities, and transform lives. "This strategy focuses on addressing the issues that prevent people from getting involved in physical activity by offering solutions to help more Glaswegians and visitors to our city get active and experience the benefits of an active lifestyle." The strategy aims to make Glasgow a leader in creating an encouraging environment for physical activity. It proposes a single referral point for people who need support to be active and plans to develop the Live Active Exercise Referral Scheme and the Live Well Community Referral Programme. Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "The health benefits of physical activity and active living are well-known. "Physical exercise is often branded a 'miracle cure', due to the critical role it plays in improving physical and mental wellbeing and helping to address a range of illnesses and health conditions. "Creating an environment where physical activity becomes the easy option for people is central to health and wellbeing, and it is at the heart of this strategy. 'The focus on accessibility, availability, existing community assets, and greenspace, together with building confidence and skills for people of all ages, are critical to enabling this city to become an Active Glasgow – and therefore a healthier Glasgow.' The plan also includes widening access to green spaces, recreational, and sports spaces, and ensuring they are safe and welcoming for all. (Image: Glasgow Life) Read more: Glaswegians urged to 'light up the longest day' and help feed hungry children Paul Johnston, chief executive of Public Health Scotland, said: "Implementation of this strategy will transform environments, infrastructure, and services across Glasgow, making it easier for individuals to incorporate movement into their daily lives. "Being physically active is hugely beneficial to improving our physical and mental health and contributes towards the prevention of illness and diseases. "We hope this will be the first of many local strategies which will drive the necessary changes to create a healthier, more active Scotland." The Active Glasgow strategy can be read in full on the Glasgow Life website.
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New guide shows where skyscrapers could be built in Glasgow
The Tall Buildings Design Guide outlines regions like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller structures. The guide also provides expectations for building quality, design, and aesthetics. There is a focus on mixed-use developments, recommending street-level retail and leisure spaces. This marks a departure from previous decades when building heights were restricted. Glasgow, unlike other Scottish cities, has room to expand upwards. The guide anticipates a shift in the city's skyline, aiming to achieve the city centre population densities typical of European cities. This density is seen as essential for enhancing productivity and growth in the UK. The guidance was developed based on feedback from initial consultations with architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, as well as a public consultation that received more than 270 responses. The design principles and location suggestions in the guide are set to play a crucial role in determining planning applications. The guide also took into account the experiences of similar-sized European cities and the evolving development priorities in the UK and Europe. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. "Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. "Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it." The guidance will be presented to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval.
The National
04-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Glasgow set for skyscraper boom as new planning rules to come in
The Tall Buildings Design Guide outlines regions like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller structures. The guide also provides expectations for building quality, design, and aesthetics. There is a focus on mixed-use developments, recommending street-level retail and leisure spaces. This marks a departure from previous decades when building heights were restricted. The guide anticipates a shift in the city's skyline, aiming to achieve the city centre population densities typical of European cities. The guidance was developed based on feedback from initial consultations with architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, as well as a public consultation that received more than 270 responses. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. "Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. "Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it." The guidance will be presented to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval.
