Scottish Conservative MSP, Murdo Fraser, has encouraged people across Mid-Scotland and Fife to shop local this weekend in order to support Small Business Saturday.
The annual campaign ran by the Federation of Small Businesses encourages customers to support local, small businesses, in order to ensure the sector’s viability. Up to a third of private sector employment comes from small businesses and in rural areas they are critical to the communities in which they are based.
Murdo’s call for support comes following the release of new statistics showing that over 50,000 businesses in Scotland have waited longer than 18 months to have their crippling business rates bills reassessed.
Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“New figures show a whopping 50,000 businesses are still waiting to have their rates reviewed which underlines just how badly the SNP is handling our economy.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities across Scotland and it is a complete abrogation of duty to saddle them with huge hikes whilst failing to review them quickly.
“If the SNP won’t support small businesses then I would encourage constituents across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire to get out this weekend and shop local.
“Across Mid-Scotland and Fife there are thousands of businesses that are producing great products and services whilst supplying sought after employment and it is about time they got a break.
“Small Business Saturday is a great way to support the industry and I hope this year’s edition is a success.”