Q&A SMALL BUSINESS CLINIC


‘I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT IS DOING THEIR UTMOST TO CREATE A SCOTTISH ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE BY BRINGING FORWARD SPENDING SCHEDULED FOR NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND’


TF: Taking a leaf from Barack Obama is an unknown entity - we don’t really know how he is going to succeed. As to what his plans are, that’s not been quite clear.


With the new Scottish Government, we seem to have a government that is taking action. Since the last election two and a half years ago, I think everyone has felt the change. There was the problem when they couldn’t agree the budget, but by getting down and discussing things they have actually come to an agreement and I think that is a good thing for Scotland.


It’s great that there is no one political party in a dominant position so they cannot just ramrod things through - they have to stop and take the rest of the parties into consideration. I think that is to the benefit, particularly with the problems we (Scotland) find ourselves in - two heads are better than one and four heads are better three. It’s about pulling the resources of the political parties together and getting politics out of the way and discovering what is best for Scotland, what is good for Scottish business, and ultimately, what is good for Scottish people.


AW: Now more than ever, you would be hard pressed to argue that the state isn’t an economic actor. The effects of its actions may take longer to become apparent than today’s impatient public debate would like, but that doesn’t reduce its importance.


Recent months have seen unprecedented levels of government action aimed at kick-starting the economy and, while attention has understandably focussed on the fiscal stimulus measures coming from Westminster, we need to remember that all governments have their role to play.


Holyrood is no different. So its moves to bring


forward public building works, try to drive down public sector payment times (with limited success) and cut or totally remove the business rates burden from the smallest firms have been most welcome.


But we have asked that they go further. They can, for example, make sure business support services for small firms are up to the mark and call a halt on all new, unnecessary legislation which will have a disproportionate impact on small firms.


Well, we’re certainly ready to do so. All government needs to do is ensure we have the tools and support for the job.


GH: I am delighted to see that the Scottish Government is doing their utmost to create a Scottish economic stimulus package by bringing forward spending scheduled for next year and beyond, and maintaining projects such as the cross-rail link, which might have been expected to be postponed in recessions past. Clearly though, they have restrictions in what they can do in terms of the spending powers allowed by the UK Parliament.


Many start-up grants have been withdrawn in recent years and we see a strong case for them to be quickly re-introduced. There will then be more chance that these enterprises will succeed, and it will be achieved at relatively little cost creating thousands of much needed jobs. With the main focus currently on significant growth companies, there is an opportunity for new and young businesses to get more face to face time with a business adviser to help create and shape their plans.


Our advisers see clients who have great new products and have been pretty successful in helping get them to market. But still we have the feeling that more could be done.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68