NEW START // ISSUE 6 // 23 Q&A

SMALL BUSINESS CLINIC

THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS PASSED PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S $819BN (£572BN) ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE WITH SPENDING INCREASES AND TAX CUTS AT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG ADMINISTRATION’S PLAN TO REVIVE A BADLY AILING ECONOMY.

THE PLAN INCLUDES: TAX CUTS: $27BN - SPENDING: MORE THAN $540BN INCLUDING: INCREASED FEDERAL FUNDS FOR MEDICAID: $87BN - MOVES TOWARDS CLEAN, EFFICIENT ENERGY: $54BN - REBUILD ROADS, BRIDGES AND BUILDINGS: $90BN - MODERNISE EDUCATION: $141BN - HELP FOR WORKERS, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT AND TRAINING: $102BN

Q: SHOULD THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT BE TAKING A LEAF OUT OF OBAMA’S BOOKS?

SIR TOM FARMER OUR PANEL

Arguably Scotland’s best known entrepreneur, Sir Tom Farmer founded Kwik-Fit in 1971 before selling it to the Ford Motor Company for £1.2 billion in 1999.

Sir Tom has received an outstanding list of honours and awards and currently has a range of business interests, including investments in new business start-ups.

Andy Willox is the Scottish Policy Convener at Federation of Small Businesses. The FSB Scotland

is the country’s largest direct-member business organisation, representing over 19,000 SMEs. The lobbying group campaigns for a better social, political and economic environment to work, learn and do business in.

Gordon Hunter is director of business development at GO Group, one of Scotland’s largest business support organisations who are committed to nurturing business start-up, supporting business growth, encouraging innovation and developing people and skills.

ANDY WILLOX

GORDON HUNTER