The First Minister this afternoon outlined the Scottish Government’s legislative programme for the year ahead, as well as a variety of other initiatives. The FM outlined a new Transition Training Fund; drives to boost digital skills and infrastructure; and a programme to decarbonise homes and other buildings.
In addition, today it was announced the Scottish Government intends to examine how to inject new life into local communities and economies, through the development of so-called ’20 minute towns’.
FSB said many of the measures reflected calls they had been making for some time, but warned that many firms need more immediate help.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “It will be easy for the Scottish small business community to get behind many of the measures that the FM outlined today.
“For example, for years FSB has talked to the need to develop resilient local economies with smaller firms at their heart. A good way to do this is to increase the share of public contracts that smaller firms win, especially those attached to any decarbonisation programmes.
“It also makes sense to increase the amount of economic activity in our towns and cities during the day, so the development of local work hubs, or more co-working spaces, in local communities could pay dividends.
“The First Minister also put jobs at the top of her government’s agenda. That’s absolutely the right move, though every initiative needs to have small businesses at its core. That’s because, after the last crash, nine in ten people who moved from unemployment found work in either a smaller business or through self-employment.
“Similarly, action to help workers and businesses adapt to the digital revolution – now accelerated by the current crisis – is most welcome. We know that one in seven Scottish smaller firms innovated during this crisis and we need to lock in those gains.
“Our big concern is that few of these initiatives will kick-in overnight and at least some businesses are reaching the end of the road. We may still need new short and medium term measures to help important local firms through this period of crisis.”
ENDS
- Read the FSB’s research looking at the job creation capacity of smaller businesses: https://www.ippr.org/publications/small-firms-giant-leaps-small-businesses-and-the-road-to-full-employment
- FSB’s research looking at small firms’ innovation during the coronavirus crisis can be found here: https://www.fsb.org.uk/static/39fb3d09-223d-4866-bd4f507863277b15/Finding-our-Feet-Scottish-Small-Businesses-and-the-Coronavirus-Crisis.pdf
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As experts in business, FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services, including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in Government. Its aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.