Scot Lib Dems challenge Scottish Government to boost support for small business

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP has today challenged the SNP government to boost support for small business as he revealed that while more than 99% of businesses are small or medium sized enterprises, more than half of government contracts still go to large firms, many of which are not based in Scotland.

Figures uncovered by Mr Greene through parliamentary questions show that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) consistently make up around 99.3% of Scottish businesses, with each Scottish Parliament constituency containing at least 1,000 such enterprises.

In the year 2022/23, out of the Scottish Government’s £16.6 billion spending on procurement, just £7.9 billion was spent with SMEs.

Jamie Greene said:

“Despite small and medium sized enterprises making up 99% of businesses across Scotland, they still get less than half of government contracts.

"Businesses that I speak to are worried about imminent hikes to their business rates, the steady creep of Scottish Government regulation and the SNP’s hopeless handling of major projects.

“From business rates reform to tearing down trade barriers with Europe and delivering a real skills agenda, these are so many things we could be doing to deliver a highly skilled, high-wage economy.

“A key part of that should be helping small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of our economy.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are all about change with fairness at its heart: we want a sensible, growing economy that supports small and medium sized businesses and decent public services. At May’s election, no matter where you live in Scotland, you can vote for that by backing us on your second, peach-coloured, regional ballot paper.”