Support for employability

Small businesses have gained no significant advantages from the opening up of the postal service to private competition, a new report has said.

The Scottish Government will continue to take steps to increase support for business and households at a time of global economic slowdown, John Swinney said today.

During a Parliamentary debate on the economy the Finance Secretary set out actions already underway as part of the Scottish economic recovery plan. The Scottish Government has recently announced improvements to the planning system, expanded Scottish Enterprise's advice service to manufacturing companies and made it easier for small businesses to access public sector contracts.

The Scottish economic recovery plan sets out actions to help householders and businesses. These include

Reshaping capital expenditure.

Ensuring all government activity, including on planning and regulation supports economic development.

Intensifying our activity and support for Homecoming 2009 to boost tourism.

Intensifying work on energy efficiency and fuel poverty.

Increasing advice to business and individuals.

Improving financial advice to vulnerable individuals.

In July the Scottish Government announced support for Community Planning Partnerships in the following areas:

Dundee

East Ayrshire

Edinburgh

Fife

Glasgow

North Ayrshire

North Lanarkshire

Renfrewshire

South Lanarkshire

West Dunbartonshire

West Lothian