Chamber and committees

I thank Audrey Nicoll for bringing this debate to Parliament.

For the past 50 years, the FSB has grown to become the United Kingdom’s largest membership organisation for small businesses and the self-employed. It provides its members with vital services, including access to finance, business banking, legal advice and specialist support to help their businesses flourish.

Last year, my Rutherglen constituency was home to around 2,000 registered businesses, the vast majority of which are small businesses of all varieties. Those small businesses are the lifeblood of Scotland’s economy and the backbone of our communities across the country. Many are flourishing, because of the uniqueness of what they offer, despite the competition from multinational companies and superstores. Small businesses keep our high streets alive and provide a variety of bespoke and artisan services and personal service that large companies cannot compete with. They are not just sources of employment but places where people can meet, socialise and form deeper connections within their communities.

The Control Panel in Rutherglen, which was established more than 24 years ago as a supplier of computer equipment, repair and upgrading services, provides a much-valued personal service, not only using its expertise to keep customers’ information technology equipment running smoothly but offering bespoke custom personal computers built from the case up. There is also Strachan Craft Butchers in Blantyre, which has been operating for seven years now. At the end of last year, it was named training partner of the year at the industry awards, honoured for its commitment to staff progression and supporting apprentices.

Finally, I would highlight the Wee Gurkha Curry House, a Nepalese restaurant that opened earlier this year in Blantyre. This award-winning, family-run business was previously based in East Kilbride but has now moved to new, larger premises, where it has quickly established itself as a much-loved and appreciated local business. Those are just three examples from my constituency—all at different stages of development—of the kinds of small businesses that make up our communities, and make those communities what they are.

Other small businesses are not only making an impact on the local economy and providing jobs in our communities, but making their mark on the world. Watt Laser, in my constituency, is a small business that is becoming a leader in its field. It exports all around the world, and it is so close to the cutting edge of technology that some of the equipment that it demonstrated when I visited the business recently is one of a kind.

SMEs are often embedded in the communities in which they operate. They range from non-profit-making entities such as credit unions, including 1st Class and Thistle credit unions in my constituency, to businesses such as MDH Recruitment—whose social values see it donate to many local good causes—that are working with local schools and supporting our young people, or are sponsoring local and youth sport.

Resilient, productive businesses are the bedrock of Scotland’s economy, which is why I strongly welcome the fact that helping businesses to succeed lies at the heart of this year’s programme for government. The programme includes specific actions around increasing the number of women who are creating and scaling businesses, and widening participation in business from other groups that are underrepresented. That is a cause championed by my constituent Bayile Adeoti, herself a successful entrepreneur, and those aims are priorities for the FSB, too, which further underlines the valuable role that the organisation plays in supporting its members.

Small businesses thrive when they are well supported, and our wider communities thrive when those businesses are doing well. I commend the work of the FSB in moving towards that aim, and I wish it well for the future.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to connect to the app. I would have voted no.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to connect in the app. I would have abstained.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am unsure whether my vote was recorded.

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support animal welfare. (S6O-03686)

The minister will be aware of my long-standing concerns about the safety and treatment of greyhounds that are used in racing. Shawfield stadium in my constituency was the last licensed track in Scotland, but, thankfully, no races have taken place since the pandemic. In my view, and that of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, as well as that of numerous other animal welfare organisations, greyhound racing is inherently unsafe, so I believe that a phased ban is required sooner rather than later. Will the minister provide an update on any representations that he has had in recent months with stakeholders regarding greyhound racing?

Can the minister speak to the success of the implementation of “The Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland”, and advise how the Scottish Government will continue to ensure that women and babies receive the highest quality of care according to their needs?

Sandesh, you can maybe come back to this when we move on to theme 3. We seem to be straying off-piste a little bit from your supplementary question.

Professor Collins, I am sorry to interrupt you, but we will come on to that specific theme a bit later on, so rather than pre-empt some of my colleagues’ questions, we should hold fire on that one.

I call Tess White.