Small Business Bonus Scheme: Evaluation

This document describes a comprehensive evaluation of the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) in Scotland, which aims to offer rate relief to small businesses. The evaluation utilized a mix of descriptive and econometric analysis, alongside surveys, to gauge the scheme's effectiveness in aiding small businesses and its capacity to stimulate local investment and growth. Despite widespread use and positive perceptions among businesses, the evaluation found no concrete evidence of improved business outcomes attributable to the SBBS. Challenges included data limitations, particularly the reliance on property-level rather than business-level data, which impeded the ability to draw definitive conclusions. The evaluation recommends enhancing data collection and establishing a detailed business database for more accurate future assessments. Additionally, it examines the policy's context, the distribution of non-domestic properties, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the evaluation process. Results showed a significant number of businesses eligible for SBBS relief, a rise in non-domestic properties with lower rateable values, and lower vacancy rates near relief thresholds, suggesting the SBBS's role in supporting property occupancy. However, complexities in identifying eligible businesses and understanding the policy's full effects were noted. Survey results revealed slight differences in stability or growth among SBBS recipients, but these were minimal, and the appropriateness of using rateable value as a metric for eligibility was questioned due to the diversity of businesses within rateable value categories. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: The Scottish Government (The Scottish Government)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Value for money evaluation; Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Quasi-experimental method
• Quasi-experimental methods: Regression discontinuity
• Value for money methods: Other
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: April 2023

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes