Aberdeen businesses have been “clearly disadvantaged” by LEZ support schemes after new figures showed local firms and residents lagging behind Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee overall.
Local business leaders have warned the Granite City faces a “perfect storm” of challenges, with rising business rates, confusing bus gates and the new Low Emission Zone driving people away from the high street.
The Scottish Government’s LEZ Support Fund was set up in 2020 to help small businesses and residents buy newer vehicles with lower emissions. It is promoted in conjunction with host councils.
Official Scottish Parliament data shows it has paid out £15.4 million since.
But just 73 Aberdeen “microbusinesses” received a total of £170,500 for disposals and refits, compared to almost £5.1m for 908 in Glasgow, £2.1m in Edinburgh for 589 microbusinesses, and £114,500 for 50 in Dundee.
And £515,427 was awarded to 210 households in the Aberdeen area, while 2,241 in Glasgow got a share of £5.7 million, 847 in Edinburgh received £2.2m, and 261 in Dundee received £646,293.
The information was obtained by North East MSP Liam Kerr through parliamentary questions.
The Scottish Conservative said:
“LEZs, bus gates and sky‑high business rates have unquestionably damaged business confidence in Aberdeen on their own.
“Together, they are pushing the high street to the brink.
“Figures now show Aberdeen received the smallest piece of the LEZ support fund anywhere in Scotland, and a tiny proportion of what Glasgow received.
“Once the policies were rolled out, it appears the Scottish Government simply walked away.
“That raises serious questions. Was the scheme poorly promoted locally, or was it effectively closed off to people here?
“The SNP government and Aberdeen City Council must explain this imbalance.
“Other cities seem to have done far better out of it, while Aberdeen has had to deal with all the downside and not much of an upside. Our businesses have been clearly disadvantaged.”
