Business Comment
WELL then, we now have a majority Government in the Scottish Parliament. This is unprecedented in Holyrood and questions now abound around how this will work in practice.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), of course, will continue to work hard to influence the Scottish Government – and all parties in the Scottish Parliament – over the next five years and beyond.
With a majority of constituency MSPs belonging to one party, will the work of the regional MSPs in opposition to the Government become increasingly important? Will debates at Holyrood just be for show, or will they be crucial for Scottish democracy, shaping Government decisions and re-focusing Government plans?
One thing’s for sure – the hard work on the economy starts now. With a parliamentary majority and the stability that comes with it, the Government should be on a sound footing to grapple with the challenges facing the Scottish economy.
Top of the to do list should be allowing Scotland’s small businesses to create the employment and economic growth the country so badly needs. As with all of the main parties, the SNP were influenced by many aspects of the FSB’s Scottish Election Manifesto. We will be pushing to ensure our main points aren’t forgotten.
Ministers will retain the Small Business Bonus Rates Relief Scheme (SNP Manifesto 2011, p5), but in a move that would benefit the Highland economy, we ask them to develop it to give discounts to higher rated properties such as hotels.
We asked for support for one-man-bands and sole traders to take on their first employee, and the Government has pledged £7.5 million of employment assistance to help our smallest businesses to do this (SNP Manifesto 2011, p12).
The FSB proposed stronger links between small businesses and schools to encourage entrepreneurship, and in response the Government has plans to introduce a Youth Enterprise Scotland Challenge, so that young Scots can develop the skills needed to establish successful creative companies (SNP Manifesto 2011, p8 & p14).
This is encouraging stuff, but it’s up to all of us to keep the pressure on to ensure that the promises become a reality. The FSB, with the support and direction provided by our members, will be doing what we can to ensure this happens.
Oh, and the SNP Manifesto (p.15) also tells us that: "We are fully committed to dualling the A9 from Perth to Inverness…"
Mike Duncan,
Senior Development Manager,
FSB
