Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 09 December 2020
We are currently working with local government colleagues on that, and we hope to open applications as soon as possible. I am happy to come back to Elaine Smith with details, when those are available.
Just as it is important that we support businesses, it is important that we ensure that we support their workforces. Mr Golden’s motion fails to mention that—a mere oversight on his part, I am sure.
I consider it vital that we take this opportunity to signal the importance of that support to employers, and my amendment cites the Covid-19 fair work agreement that we have jointly endorsed with organisations such as the Institute of Directors, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry and the Scottish Trades Union Congress. That underlines the collaborative approach that is needed as we work our way through the crisis.
I turn to the motion that is before us. Further to the exchange between Ben Macpherson and Maurice Golden, I want to make clear that we would also like to be able to provide clarity for businesses on rates relief, but it is difficult to do so at this stage—the limitations of the devolution settlement mean that our ability to continue to offer relief next year is contingent on the UK budget extending the equivalent policy in England and generating consequential funding.
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance has been clear that, should the UK Government introduce such an extension, we are committed to creating a tailored package of business support measures, including on rates relief, which best meets Scotland’s needs. On that basis, the assistance of Mr Golden and his colleagues in making the case to their colleagues in the UK Government would be welcome. I did not hear him offer that assistance a moment ago, but I would be happy to hear him offer it any time that he is willing to do so.
On an issue that both my amendment and Mr Rowley’s amendment mention, we know that some larger businesses such as supermarkets have pledged to reimburse the Scottish Government for the rates relief offered at the outset of the pandemic. I welcome that decision and call on other businesses that are able to follow suit to do so.