SMEs want parental support

Small businesses are calling for the next government to ring fence a share of public contracts for SMEs and provide more welfare support for the self-employed.

The new demands from the Federation of Small Businesses emerge after a survey revealed that only one in five business owners feel the Scottish government values their role in the economy.

Most (60%) say the Covid crisis has made self-employment less attractive.

The FSB wants the next government to pilot so-called “bread funds:” which offer a collective insurance approach for self-employed individuals who could not otherwise access sick pay.

Businessses want policymakers in Edinburgh to provide maternity, paternity and adoption payments to the self-employed via Social Security Scotland.