Following the 2025 budget, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has begun to look forward to 2026–27. 

In collaboration with the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), the SBPA has submitted a joint draft budget submission to the Scottish Government. 

In the submission, the organisations encourage the government to maintain the current 40% relief rates for licensed hospitality businesses and remove the £51,000 rateable value cap. 

The SLTA stated: “The sector supports around 65,000 jobs, pays £1.2 billion in wages and contributes £2.3 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the economy, underpinning thousands of local businesses and supply chains. 

“This powerful level of economic activity translates to a GVA multiplier of 2.0. Put simply, for every £1 of direct GVA in the sector, an additional £1 is created elsewhere in the economy. The strength of this multiplier demonstrates the benefits of the beer, pub and bar sector to the Scottish and regional economies.” 

Elsewhere, the SBPA and SLTA asked for £10m in green funds for both hospitality and brewers to help contribute toward the aims of net zero. 

They also asked for continued funding of Best Bar None Scotland and protection of Visit Scotland’s budget, which aids tourist activity. 

In a joint statement, the organisations said: “Failure to act risks accelerating closures, job losses and undermining Scotland’s cultural and tourism assets. The beer, pub and bars sector is ready to work with the Scottish Government to deliver shared objectives on economic recovery, sustainability and community wellbeing – but urgent action is needed now.”