SMALL businesses in Inverclyde could lose out on £3 million if new rules are forced through on business rates.

A dire warning has been issued by the Scottish Government over the support it currently offers to local firms through its Small Business Bonus scheme.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, whose Renfrewshire seat takes in Kilmacolm, says the scheme currently benefits more than 1,000 firms locally but is under threat from opposition parties.

He has now joined forces with Inverclyde SNP colleague Stuart McMillan to urge MSPs in the Scottish Parliament not to vote against ending the scheme.

Minister Mr Mackay said: "There are 1,150 businesses across Inverclyde benefiting from the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme and this vital support would disappear under the proposals currently being forced through by opposition parties.

“With companies in Inverclyde receiving support amounting to £3m through the SBB scheme and opposition parties seeking to dismantle this popular and very effective national relief system, it is clear that the SNP is the only party standing up for business locally and across Scotland.”

A debate is due to take place in the Scottish Parliament which could decide the fate of the scheme, and the financial support it currently offers.

Local MSP Mr McMillan added: “Small firms in Greenock and Inverclyde already facing the damaging uncertainty of Brexit at the end of this month could do without the unnecessary additional challenge of also coping with unpredictable business rates which could potentially threaten jobs.

“I share the economy secretary’s concern about Labour, Tory and Green MSPs supporting the end of Scotland-wide Small Business Bonus Scheme, which is greatly benefiting companies throughout Inverclyde.”