Colin Borland: Tesco tax could be revived if tweaked

Many independent retailers could be perplexed by yesterday's decision by the Scottish Parliament's local government committee to vote down proposals for a business-rates supplement for the biggest retailers.

On the same day that a key case at the Court of Session in Scotland allowed Asda to march north of Inverness, MSPs chose to support a motion annulling finance secretary John Swinney's controversial "Tesco tax".

All of Scotland's main political parties profess to support independent businesses on our high streets and most MSPs approach cuts to local authorities' budgets and other public services with trepidation. Three-quarters of members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) supported the proposal, and letters to The Scotsman demonstrate support for the proposal among the public.

Why then did this measure fail and why do we think that there might be a good chance of its resurrection?

Well, there are legitimate concerns about the process associated with the levy's introduction and big business did make loud if non-specific threats about jobs and investment.

We believe there's enough common ground on the broad principle to come up with a mutually acceptable alternative proposal ahead of the budget.

It should not be beyond the powers of Scotland's civil service to design a scheme that combats some of the criticisms that were directed at the proposals.

Alterations could include expanding the proposals to look at other enormous businesses which may not pull their weight and ensuring at least a proportion of the funds raised go towards supporting and developing our town centres.

Yes, the supermarkets should pay their fair share, but do the politicians agree with the Scottish Retail Consortium that other big businesses should contribute as well?

We would urge every MSP who cares about town centres to get around the table and come up with a solution.

• Colin Borland is public affairs manager at the Federation of Small Businesses