Meeting of the Parliament 17 December 2025
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20035, in the name of Rachael Hamilton, on recognising small business Saturday 2025. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons now or as soon as possible. I also alert members to the fact that there is a lot of interest in participating in the debate, and there are events going on in Parliament this evening that will already be running late, so I give due warning that I intend to hold members strictly to their time limits.
With that, I ask Rachael Hamilton to lead the way in opening the debate. You have up to seven minutes, Ms Hamilton.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament marks Small Business Saturday UK on 6 December 2025, an annual grassroots, not-for-profit campaign that celebrates and encourages support for small businesses across the UK; acknowledges that the campaign aims to highlight small business success while encouraging consumers to shop locally; recognises the vital role that small businesses play in communities across Scotland, including in the Scottish Borders, by driving growth, creating jobs and sustaining vibrant town centres; understands that micro and small businesses represent 98% of all enterprises in Scotland, employ more than 900,000 people and turnover £93 billion annually, according to the Federation of Small Businesses; considers that small businesses, particularly in rural communities, face increasing pressures from rising costs and economic uncertainty; notes the view that, although the Small Business Saturday occurs only once a year, support for and recognition of small businesses must continue throughout the year, and celebrates the vital contribution of small and rural businesses to Scotland’s economy.
17:41Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.