Trump golf course scores £110,000 Holyrood tax rebate

The £110,000 tax rebate for Trump Turnberry is part of an emergency bailout designed by Scottish ministers to help small businesses and reduce the property taxes paid by the hospitality industry.

It was introduced by the Scottish Government following complaints from businesses in the northeast suffering from an economic downturn caused by the slump in oil prices and subsequently applied across the country.

Following a freedom of information request made by The Guardian and The Ferret news agency, it was revealed that Trump Turnberry had its property tax cut by £109,530 as a result of the measure.

MSPS said the figures highlighted the unfairness of a property tax system which took no account of a business’s profitability.

“Trump’s brand is toxic,” Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie said.

“It’s bad enough that he has a business presence in Scotland. It’s galling to learn that the public purse is giving him a helping hand.”

Trump said earlier this year that the Ayrshire resort was doing “unbelievably” because of the fall in the value of the pound after the Brexit vote.