Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “Today’s Programme for Government outlines some huge ambitions for Scotland. The challenge for Ministers will be in delivery.
“Scotland can’t come back stronger from the covid crisis without a successful local business community. While today’s publication signals a change in approach, we want every part of Scotland’s public sector to be alive to the damage local firms have endured since the start of last year.
“By promising wide-ranging reforms to skills and procurement systems, Ministers are acknowledging that there’s work required to make government processes deliver for the wider economy. We want to make it easier for smaller firms to win public contracts. The skills system must adapt to the challenges posed by covid, by Brexit and by the growth of the digital economy.”