Ross calls for an end to unfair treatment of Moray’s small businesses
Moray MP Douglas Ross has expressed dismay following the publication of a report by Moray Council which indicates that the Scottish Government’s Supplier Development Programme is biased in favour of the Central Belt. The report, on supplier development, was issued to the council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee.
Douglas said: “This clearly shows that businesses in Moray are losing out compared to businesses in the Central Belt. The Supplier Development Programme is supposed to operate across Scotland to help small and medium-sized enterprises gain contracts but even Moray Council doesn’t believe that the programme is worth engaging with because it isn’t interested in our area. It is absolutely vital for the health of Moray’s economy, and our ability to retain young and ambitious people, that we support the growth of small businesses here. Yet here we have yet another example of Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish Government favouring Glasgow and the Central Belt at our expense.”
Cllr Claire Feaver (Forres Ward) who is a member of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee, said: “The council’s budget has been slashed by the Scottish Government which means that we are struggling to maintain crucial services and support our businesses in the way we would like. Despite these constraints I believe the council has done a good job for our SME sector but we would love to do more. If the Scottish Government’s agencies are not delivering for Moray then they should give the council the money so we can do more for ourselves.”
Douglas added: “Moray Council is the third-worst funded local authority in Scotland thanks to an unfair funding formula and NHS Grampian is the worst funded health authority in Scotland which has had dire consequences for people in Moray needing treatment. Now we find that our business community is also treated worse than other parts of Scotland. I have written to the Scottish Government’s Business Minister seeking an explanation and asking what they will do to address this.”