A Safer, Stronger Future for Scotland's High Streets

That the Parliament recognises the vital role that thriving high streets play in supporting local economies, creating employment, sustaining independent businesses and providing communities with places to meet, shop and socialise; believes that the decline of high streets across Scotland, reflected in rising vacancies and falling footfall, requires urgent action; calls on the Scottish Government to make the revitalisation of high streets a national priority by reforming the business rates system to create a fairer environment for businesses, supporting new enterprises to occupy vacant premises, investing in cleaner, safer and more attractive town centres and working with local authorities to deliver long-term regeneration and sustainable economic growth; further calls on the Scottish Government to work with Police Scotland, local authorities and other relevant agencies to identify and disrupt criminal activity operating through commercial premises, including money laundering and the sale of counterfeit or substandard goods, and believes that protecting legitimate businesses from criminal activity is essential to restoring confidence, increasing footfall and creating high streets that are safe, vibrant and welcoming for communities, businesses and visitors.