'We've got what it takes to see Scottish business thrive'

SNP MSP and Finance Secretary John Swinney today (Thursday) joined the SNP candidate in the Glasgow North East by-election, David Kerr, to meet with small business owners and discuss how the Scottish Government is helping local business prosper through the current recession.

The SNP Scottish Goverment introduced its small business bonus scheme on 1 April 2008. Since then, over 2000 small businesses in Glasgow have benefited from the scheme. The Federation of Small Business estimates that 1 in 8 businesses in Scotland have been saved from closure by the scheme.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said: "Even before the downturn the SNP in Government was helping high streets up and down Scotland through the small business bonus scheme.

"This year we have abolished rates completely for Scotland's smallest firms - like those shops on Springburn Way, Duke Street and Alexandra Parade that keep communities going.

"Small businesses are at the heart of Glasgow's economy and the SNP Scottish Government is determined to make sure they are at a competitive advantage.

"Earlier this week, a survey of small business across showed that those in Scotland were faring better than those elsewhere in the UK - a direct result of the SNP's small business bonus.

"The UK Government is endangering the Scottish recovery with swingeing cuts to the Scottish Government's budget and continued uncertainty over the acceleration of capital spend.

"Electing David Kerr as SNP MP for Glasgow North East will send a clear message to Westminster - capital expenditure must be accelerated to protect Scotland's businesses."

SNP candidate David Kerr added: "The SNP is delivering for businesses across Scotland - and in Glasgow especially.

"While Labour have neglected Glasgow for 74 years, the SNP are committed to seeing our city thrive and we're delivering the policies to make it happen.

"First Minister Alex Salmond announced over £6.8m of Scottish Government funding to support 1505 new jobs across the city last Saturday. In these tough times, those jobs will make a real difference in Glasgow.

"The SNP's priorities are the same priorities as the people of Glasgow's.

"Together, we've got what it takes to make our great city even better."

Notes:

1. The Federation of Small Business (Scottish Parliament, 5 May 2009) "for one in eight recipients, the scheme made the difference over the past 12 months between sinking and swimming.... The scheme is one concrete example of where Scottish Government spending can have an effect. Federation of Small Businesses."

2. The Business Pulse 2009 survey from BT, published this week, showed that turnover has held up better for Scottish small businesses than those in the rest of the UK.

3. For more information on the RSA grants, please see here.