Nursery owners say they had no warning of the increases, which took effect immediately in April at the start of the financial year, and which are calculated by looking at the rental value of business premises at a particular date. Revaluations take place every five years.
In England, increases or decreases in business rates are eased in over five years, as part of a statutory transitional relief system. In Scotland there is no transitional period.
Lynne Robertson of Step by Step nurseries, who owns two settings, said, 'We had no notice of this increase at all. Last year the rateable value of my Livingston setting was £15,600. This year it is £35,000. The rateable value of my East Calder setting has increased from £6,800 to £8,400.'
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