The Scottish Government's relationship with business has been in focus, writes Ian McConnell.

This relationship faces another test this week, when the Scottish Budget is announced.

The first week following the New Year public holiday has been peppered with requests from business to the Scottish Government.

This is hardly surprising given the Scottish Budget takes place on Tuesday.

The challenges posed to businesses - and households too of course - by the UK’s protracted economic malaise have seemed to make the calls for government support somewhat more urgent in recent years.

The hospitality sector has once again been among the most prominent voices ahead of Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison delivering the Scottish Budget.

In a joint submission ahead of the Budget, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) highlighted their “key ask”: for the Scottish Government to maintain the current 40% rates relief for licensed hospitality business and remove the £51,000 rateable value cap.

The SBPA and SLTA, declaring that Scotland’s pubs, bars and........

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