![\"Forever](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ba545da2e534b162256e458c46cb0b26-1793200762.jpeg\")
STV NewsForever Spaces based in East Lothian STV News<\/p>\nBusinesses battling soaring costs have called on the government to help \u201csteady the ship\u201d.<\/p>\n
Traders say rising energy bills, employer National Insurance contributions and other running costs continue to squeeze margins amid global uncertainty.<\/p>\n
While the Chancellor announced that 70,000 businesses in England will be removed from business rates altogether by raising the relief threshold from \u00a312,000 to \u00a318,000, the measures do not apply in Scotland.<\/p>\n
Deputy first minister Jenny Gilruth said Scotland\u2019s budget would be cut by around \u00a3650m in 2027-28 in real terms and warned it would reduce the money available for public services and support with the cost of living.<\/p>\n
She welcomed the \u00a3100 energy bill support payment announced by the Chancellor, but said the measures \u201cfall far short of the action which is required\u201d.<\/p>\n
Businesses are hoping some of the funding can be used to deliver similar support in Scotland.<\/p>\n
STV NewsForever Spaces based in East Lothian STV News<\/p>\n
Roderick Williams turned his back on a lucrative career as an oil and gas economist 11 years ago to launch Forever Spaces, a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom company based in East Lothian.<\/p>\n
The firm has grown to 15 employees and is now expanding into a new larger venue at Fenton Barns, near North Berwick.<\/p>\n
But despite its success, Roderick says the economy does not inspire much confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a lot of our costs increase,\u201d he told STV News<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to find a way making a fair profit, so we\u2019ve had to increase our prices to go with that and that\u2019s a struggle having to sell something that\u2019s more expensive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still going okay and we\u2019re still as busy as last year, but I\u2019d say there\u2019s a bit too much hesitation in the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re looking at a lovely bathroom that costs \u00a310,000 to \u00a312,000, you\u2019ve got the option of asking: do I buy now or wait six months and buy then?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Roderick says he is currently paying nearly a third more in employers\u2019 National Insurance. He\u2019s keen to grow his team, but is wary of how demand may impact his business over the next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to have confidence in my decision to recruit designers and believe we\u2019re going to have customers coming through the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the (UK) Government could just steady the ship, that would be really helpful. They can make it easier or enable employers to hire more people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of risk at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018The bills go up and the money stays the same\u2019![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0f4e903b400443defa12119cbe37ac39-1793202875.jpeg\")
STV NewsStephen attends the community centre in Pollokshields. STV News<\/p>\n
The pressure is also being felt at community centres supporting vulnerable residents.<\/p>\n
Many locals come to the Nan McKay Community Hall in Glasgow\u2019s Pollokshields for a cup of tea, a hot meal and to take part in activities.<\/p>\n
Stephen says he\u2019s noticed a big difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bills are all going up and the money is staying the same. I stay in a two bedroom and you\u2019d think it was a mansion I was living in. It\u2019s a joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rich are getting richer and the poor staying poor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill, who volunteers at the centre, doubts the support will go far enough to help those struggling with the cost of living.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince I left school, every politician, no matter what party, says that they\u2019re going to do to change things. They\u2019re in power, they\u2019re there to serve, but they don\u2019t change things for people.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one has faith in that anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just have to hope you have enough money to pay the electricity bill and buy food.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Helen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f88e121593659fe9d6fb9bcb012f07ac-1793200601.jpeg\")
STV NewsHelen Morgan. STV News<\/p>\n
Helen\u2019s mum is 104 and helped open the community centre nearly 50 years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mum is managing alright, but she\u2019s of a generation where you spend the minimum possible to do things.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not living on the breadline, she does have enough money, but she doesn\u2019t like spending money on herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe doesn\u2019t skimp on heating because she can\u2019t move about very much. That is the one bill she doesn\u2019t worry about. If it costs what it costs, it costs what it costs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Political and market reaction<\/p>\n
Adam Drummond, Glasgow office head at Rathbones said:\u201dFor Scotland, today\u2019s Budget was a damp squib. There was some positive news in the founders relief for those in Scotland trying to move their business from start up to scale up but little of further significance; of course, the headlines around devolution are less novel north of the border.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real moment for Scottish taxpayers \u2013 and indeed, the Scottish economy \u2013 is still to come, with the Scottish Budget determining what happens on income tax. So while Westminster has had its say, Scottish households still don\u2019t have the full picture.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gilruth said: \u201cThe Prime Minister has previously claimed that he would respect devolution and the Scottish Government \u2013 but his actions do not match his words. Cutting Scotland\u2019s budget shows that, yet again, we are being treated as an afterthought.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Scottish Government will ensure that households in Scotland will benefit from the one-off \u00a3100 payment for energy bill support, however, it is clear that the measures announced today fall far short of the action which is required.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurthermore, this support does not come close to meeting the promises on which the UK Government came to office, including reducing energy bills by \u00a3300 which remain significantly higher than they were in July 2024. The UK Government has failed to meet the moment and has failed to keep its promise.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also unacceptable that there was no announcement about ending wider austerity policies which are pushing families into poverty like the bedroom tax, the benefit cap and \u201cyoung parent penalty\u201d in Universal Credit which would make a significant difference to tackling poverty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Chancellor had the opportunity to lift thousands more families out of poverty, and he has chosen not to.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will now take the time to assess the full implications for Scotland of today\u2019s statement. I will be announcing further details as part of the Scottish Budget on 3 December.\u201d<\/p>\n
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