Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

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. T...

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

I begin by declaring an interest as a business owner. That declaration of interests also applies to the interventions that I made earlier on Fergus Ewing in ...

Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the member take an intervention?

Rachael Hamilton Con

If it is quick, because we have to “Hark the Herald”.

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I call Craig Hoy for a very brief intervention.

Craig Hoy Con

Rachael Hamilton will be aware that, in many small businesses, the owners are the last to be paid, and are the lowest paid. Does she agree that it is disgust...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I call Rachael Hamilton.

Craig Hoy Con

—to deliver for our communities?

Rachael Hamilton Con

I completely agree with my colleague, Craig Hoy. Businesses have cited the hike of 3 per cent in employer national insurance contributions as incredibly chal...

Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Ind

Will the member give way?

Rachael Hamilton Con

I will give way to the member.

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I call Fergus Ewing. Please be brief.

Fergus Ewing Ind

Does Rachael Hamilton agree that the Scottish Government does have the power to put the proposed changes on hold and that, if the Government denies it, that ...

Rachael Hamilton Con

I completely agree with Fergus Ewing. Scottish ministers do have the power, they make the rules and it is in their gift to pause the revaluation and change t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

We move to the open debate. Members have a strict four minutes. 17:48

Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) SNP

I am very pleased to be able to speak in this debate marking small business Saturday and to help recognise the extraordinary contribution that small and micr...

Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. Before I begin, I thank my colleague and friend Rachael Hamilton for bringing this importa...

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Small business Saturday is an annual opportunity to celebrate the hard work of small businesses across the UK. Shopping locally is not just good for the econ...

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I congratulate my friend and colleague Rachael Hamilton on securing this important and topical debate. We have just been through small business Saturday and,...

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP

I, too, congratulate the member on securing the debate and wholly endorse the vital role of small businesses in sustaining the town centre and local economy....

Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a small farmer in Moray. I join others in thanking Rachael Hamilton for securing a ...

Rachael Hamilton Con

Will the member take an intervention?

Tim Eagle Con

Absolutely.

Rachael Hamilton Con

We are all congratulating businesses. Christine Grahame just congratulated the Central Bar, but a cursory look at the Scottish Assessor Association’s website...

Tim Eagle Con

I agree with Rachael Hamilton. If we believe in everything that we say about the circular economy and in supporting rural businesses and local economies, we ...

Christine Grahame SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Tim Eagle Con

Yes, although I have almost finished.

Christine Grahame SNP

I was tempted to intervene on the intervention. Of course, what happened to the Central Bar is wrong—that is why I am so pleased that there is going to be an...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I cannot give you much time back Mr Eagle.

Tim Eagle Con

That is okay, because I am about to finish anyway. A small business that runs bothies emailed me to say that it faces a rates bill rise from £11,000 a year ...