Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has highlighted figures which show that 200 jobseekers in Moray have been helped by their local Jobcentres and the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme, to launch their own businesses over the last decade.
The Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Tourism said: “These figures show just how successful local people can be with the right kind of support and encouragement when it comes to setting up new businesses.
“This UK Government scheme has, in total, helped to create no fewer than 13,000 new businesses across Scotland, and created job opportunities for thousands of people seeking employment.
“As we seek to recover from the pandemic, which will unfortunately carry a heavy economic cost, it’s so important that we build on the enterprising spirit of local entrepreneurs.
“Frankly, this should also be the priority of the Scottish Government too, and I very much hope that we see some evidence of ministers putting to one side their endless pre-occupation with the constitution, and start focusing on jobs and livelihoods instead.”
