It is a hard fact of life that we must all pay taxes. It is the price we pay to live in a civilised society where services are provided for us.
However, the level of taxes we are asked to contribute must be fair and sustainable. So it must be obvious to anyone who has been following the highly controversial plan to review non-domestic (or business) rates that the proposed new demands were neither fair nor sustainable.
The system used to assess how much each company must pay is, it is fair to say, convoluted and complex, and busi nesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, have been in touch to say they fear they will be forced to close their business unless the new levy is reduced. Considering how heavily Lochaber depends on tourism, it is a serious concern.