Dumbarton Labour parliamentary candidate Jackie Baillie, pictured right, has said that the SNP business support plan does not do anywhere near enough to support struggling local businesses.
This comes as the SNP released its proposals to support Scottish businesses recovering from Covid.
However, of the £1bn set out in the package, only £10m extra is a new announcement – less than 1%.
The package of support announced consists of:
- £719m worth of rates relief, as agreed in the February budget update
- £275m over 5 years for town centre revitalisation, as announced in last year’s Programme for Government
- A new £10m “Scotland Loves Local” fund.
Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “Scotland’s businesses and high streets have been devastated by Coronavirus, but all the SNP is willing to offer them next term is a measly £10 million extra.
“We have so many businesses in our local area – including a significant number within the hospitality and tourism sectors – who need far more than what the SNP is willing to offer them.
“Businesses are struggling, with many having received little or no support during the pandemic, and this pitiful offering falls well short of what is needed.
“After 14 years in Government and seven years as the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon is clearly out of ideas.
“Once again she has had to resort to recycling existing policies in an attempt to hide the pathetic offer she is actually making to Scotland’s businesses.
“Scottish businesses deserve better than an extra 1%, and Scotland deserves better than the SNP.
“Scottish Labour is committed to delivering a national recovery plan that will support businesses, revitalise high streets and get our economy back on track.”