Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 6 February 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have benefitted from the small business bonus scheme in (a) East Lothian, (b) Midlothian and (c) Scotland.
Official Statistics published on 24 October 2012 show that 89,087 business properties across Scotland are benefitting from the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) in 2012-13. This is an increase of almost 4,000 from the previous year.
In East Lothian 1,556 and in Midlothian 1,127 business properties are benefiting from the SBBS.
In 2012-13 it is estimated that the SBBS has saved small businesses in East Lothian and Midlothian £4.5 million.
The Scottish Government has committed to maintain the SBBS for the lifetime of this Parliament.