FSB call for investment to stop death of high streets

A NATIONAL organisation representing the interests of small and medium-sized companies is calling for the next MP to improve conditions for growth.

Following the launch of its UK manifesto, Federation of Small Businesses (FS) national councillor and Pearl’s Pet Care owner, Pearl Hamilton, wants funding to stop the death of high streets via the UK Towns Fund.

She said: "Over the last few years, Moray has been hit hard with a number of local banks and retailers closing and there’s no end in sight as many big name brands continue to announce restructuring programmes.

"We have a strong small business base in Moray, with 94 percent of registered business (3350), small or medium sized, delivering between them more than 60 per cent of the area’s private sector jobs. That’s why we need to see the next UK Government allocate a fair share of the £3.6bn Towns Fund to Scotland. This significant investment would allow us to find new uses for empty properties and help us install low carbon infrastructure, like charging stations, in the centre of our local places."

Statistics compiled by the small business campaign group show that Scotland’s local towns have faced more than 400 local closures since the start of 2016.

The FSB’s manifesto also urges that the next UK Government should close the mobile coverage gap between Scotland and England. In late October, UK Ministers announced a new deal with the mobile operators, and the FSB insists it must be delivered.

Mrs Hamilton added: "Patchy mobile coverage holds back our businesses, as well as making many local places less attractive to visitors and potential residents. For years, decision-makers have failed to address this issue. The next Westminster administration must dramatically improve Scotland’s mobile coverage provision, closing the connectivity gap."

The FSB manifesto also urges MPs to deliver an immigration system that meets the needs of local businesses.

Mrs Hamilton added: "Our next MPs will need to make a number of important choices about the structure of a UK's future immigration system. We’re urging them to push for a regime that recognises Scotland’s demographic challenges and is user-friendly and affordable for smaller business."

Research published by the FSB and the University of Strathclyde earlier this year showed that immigrant entrepreneurs make a £13 billion annual contribution to Scotland’s economy and support more than 107,000 jobs. Also, one in four small employers in Scotland (26 per cent) have at least one employee from an EU country, rising to about two in five (41 per cent) in the Highlands. This compares to about one in five (21 per cent) across the UK.