Two motions have been lodged in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate Scotland Loves Local Week – highlighting the importance of local businesses and enterprises.
MSPs from across the political spectrum are supporting the motions, laid down by Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, and Pam Gosal, Conservative MSP for West Scotland.
Liam McArthur motion
It commends the Scotland Loves Local mission to promote localism and communities across the country – highlighting that stronger communities are “key to a more sustainable and better future”.
Commenting on Scotland Loves Local and motion, Mr McArthur said: “Orkney boasts an astonishing number and variety of small businesses. They are run and staffed by hugely talented people who make such an enormous contribution both to our community as well as our economy.
“Of course, being in business has not been without its challenges over recent years, and the environment continues to be a difficult one for all sorts of different reasons. That is why it’s so important for all of us to show our support for local businesses and promote localism wherever possible.
“I welcome the work being done through the Scotland Loves Local campaign and was happy to lend my support to the pledge. Here in Orkney, we are very conscious of the link between localism and sustaining strong communities, but this is a message that needs to be reinforced across the country.
“I wish the campaign continued success into the future and hope the motion I have lodged in parliament, which has secured cross-party support, will help to raise the profile still further.”
Pam Gosal motion
Ms Gosal’s motion highlighted the tremendous employment power of local businesses on the national economy.
It states: “That the Parliament recognises that the second annual Scotland Loves Local Week takes place from 26 August to 1 September 2024; considers that this week brings localism to the heart of the Scottish economy by encouraging businesses, community organisations, politicians and the public to collaboratively create better places to live, work and visit; congratulates all the organisations involved in Scotland Loves Local Week by organising events such as Scotland Loves Local markets to showcase local producers and makers, or by running awareness-raising social media campaigns; notes data showing that small and medium-sized enterprises provide an estimated 1.2 million jobs and account for 55.9% of private sector employment in Scotland; believes that the principle of shopping and living local encourages sustainability; encourages the public to support local businesses, including in East and West Dunbartonshire, and wishes such local businesses every success for the future.”
Politicians have been visiting enterprises and organisations of all kinds in their constituencies throughout this week, shining a spotlight on the critical part they play in communities. They are urging people to support them, protecting jobs, safeguarding services and helping to reinvigorate communities.
People, businesses and other organisations are also being urged to sign the Scotland Loves Local Pledge – a commitment to supporting local businesses whenever it is possible to do so.
Scotland Loves Local is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, supported by the Scottish Government, as a means by which to boost local economies and improve places by galvanising support for the people and businesses in them.
Thanks from everyone at Scotland Loves Local go to Mr McArthur and Ms Gosal for lodging their motions and to the MSPs supporting them – along with all of those who are supporting Scotland Loves Local Week on so many different ways.
