Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-26572

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 11 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports businesses, and what information it has regarding the number of businesses currently in operation compared with previous years.

The Scottish Government supports businesses across Scotland through a wide range of interventions delivered through our enterprise and skills agencies. In addition, our Economic Action Plan sets out how we will achieve a more joined-up approach so that businesses can access the right information, advice and support at the right time. This includes through the development of an online single entry point which will allow a business to access products and services from our enterprise and skills agencies, as well as Business Gateway. We also support small businesses through offering the most generous package of rates relief in the UK, including through the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

According to Businesses in Scotland 2019 , published in November, there were an estimated 356,550 private sector businesses operating in Scotland as at March 2019, the highest point in the series (which goes back to 2000) and an increase of 2.8% (9,755 businesses) on 2018.

Question reference: S5W-26569

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 9 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much small businesses have saved overall through the small business bonus scheme since 2008.

The total overall savings to businesses as a result of the Small Business Bonus Scheme covering the period 2008-09 – 2018-19 are £1.79 billion. The estimated savings for 2019-20 will add a further £272 million.

The figure for 2018-19 will be published in Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics in February 2020. The figures for 2010-11 to 2017-18 are published in Table 1.16 of Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics, 2017-18, available at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-local-government-financial-statistics-2017-18/ .

Figures for earlier years are published in Table 2.12 of Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics, 2009-10, available at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-local-government-financial-statistics-2009-10/ .

Question reference: S5W-26570

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 9 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties receive support through the small business bonus scheme, and how this compares with 2008.

As at 31 May 2019, 120,420 properties received Small Business Bonus Scheme relief, compared to 64,180 properties in 2008. Since the figures for 2019 are based on a different, improved data source direct comparisons should be made with caution. More information on the data sources and annual figures for the number of properties receiving support through the Scheme going back to 2008 can be found in Figure 2 of Non-Domestic Rates Relief Statistics, 2019, available at the following link: https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/NDR-Rates-Relief/NDRReliefs2019 .

Question reference: S5W-26571

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 9 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many properties receive 100% small business bonus scheme support.

As at 31 May 2019, 111,040 properties received 100% relief through the Small Business Bonus Scheme. Annual statistics on the number of properties receiving 100% Small Business Bonus Scheme relief can be found in Table 6 of Non-Domestic Rates Relief Statistics, 2019, available at the following link: https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/NDR-Rates-Relief/NDRReliefs2019 .

Question reference: S5O-03840

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve the safety of young drivers.

Question reference: S5O-03791

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage and support new mothers to breastfeed.

Question reference: S5F-03716

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 November 2019

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to promote equal pay among men and women.

Question reference: S5O-03713

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on flood resilience plans ahead of winter.

Question reference: S5O-03670

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what NHS workforce planning is taking place to account for any loss of EU membership and freedom of movement.

Question reference: S5W-25515

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 3 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed management buy-out at the Stoneywood Paper Mill in Aberdeen.

I am pleased to advise that, on 25 September 2019, the joint administrators of Arjo Wiggins Stoneywood paper mill announced a successful management buyout. This was a positive conclusion to the sale of this historic mill.

The Scottish Government has been working extensively with the administrator, the management team, UNITE union and our partners throughout this process to secure the best possible outcome. In addition Scottish Enterprise has agreed a funding package of £7m to support the management buyout.

Our priority now is to work closely with the new owners, alongside our partners, to help shape a sustainable business that secures employment into the future which will ultimately benefit the local economy and wider North East economy.

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