Scotland’s economy grew by 0.3 per cent in real terms during the third quarter of 2019. This follows a contraction of 0.2 per cent in the previous three months.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “It’d be easy to dismiss these uninspiring growth figures, but they show that many people and firms have been getting on with business despite shaky confidence, rising overheads and political upheaval.
“If in 2020 we want smaller firms to drive stronger local growth, MPs and MSPs must find time to think about their needs. Across the UK, we must see a new drive to end the late payment crisis. And at Holyrood, we must see MSPs dismiss a half-baked effort to hand councils sweeping new tax powers.”
ENDS
- The official figures can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/news/economy-grows-by-0-3-percent/
- Read more about the FSB’s Fair Pay Fair Play campaign: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/fair-pay-fair-play.html?anchor=latest-campaign-news
- Earlier this year at the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government committee, opposition MSPs united to force through a Stage 2 amendment to the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill that could see councils take full control of the Scottish rates system and may end Scotland-wide small business rate relief. MSPs will consider whether to take forward these changes in early 2020. Read more about this issue: https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/18081354.fears-mounting-business-rates/