Dame Jackie Baillie, Hannah Mary Goodlad and Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth whom she invited to invest in Dumbarton.
by BILL HEANEY
The SNP’s rising star in the Scottish Parliament is coming to Dumbarton at the invitation of local Labour MSP Jackie Baillie.
The red carpet has come out for Hannah Mary Goodland from Shetland is the SNP’s Minister for Public Finance.
Dame Jackie asked whether, in light of the changes to business rates thresholds and small business rate relief announced in the [Labour] United Kingdom budget, she would introduce equivalent changes for businesses in Scotland.
Tipped for the top Hannah Mary Goodlad said Ministers were considering the details of the UK Government’s announcement just weeks ago.
“And we will set out our decisions in the normal way on 3 December, when we announce our budget.”
Jackie Baillie replied: “I look forward to hearing the details. I invite the minister to visit my constituency—I hope she can find a way to do that—and talk to businesses in my local community.
“I welcome the additional funding from the UK Labour Government, which will make a significant difference to my high street and to hospitality businesses in my area.
“Surely the Scottish Government will want to provide the same support as businesses in England will receive.
“The cabinet secretary and the minister have at their disposal £97 million from the UK Labour Government over the next two years. What does the minister intend to do with that money to support local businesses and our high streets?”
Hannah Mary Goodlad told Dame Jackie: “There seem to be many invites coming out. I would be delighted to visit Ms Baillie in Dumbarton, as that would help me to increase my knowledge of the Central Belt, which, as I am an islander, can of course be increased. Of course, Central Belt MSPs are always welcome to come up to the islands as well.
“When it comes to looking at our business support, we have been clear that we are wrapping our arms around that. Both the Deputy First Minister [Jenny Gilruth] and I are using our respective two ears and one mouth as we go round in political listening mode, having conversations with businesses right across our country, from Aberdeen to Shetland, down to Dumfries and Galloway and in St Andrews.
“I therefore ask members to hold on for a couple more weeks and let us see where we get to on 3 December. I will be delighted to come down and visit Jackie Baillie.”