Local MSP Maree Todd, SNP, has welcomed the news that 1229 businesses in Orkney have been supported by the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus scheme saying that  “These figures prove the success of the Small Business Bonus for firms across Orkney.”

The Small Business Bonus Scheme, established by the SNP Government in 2008/09, paid out over £226 million in 2017-18, supporting over 103,000 local firms by reducing their rates liability and taking some firms out of business rates altogether.

And in Orkney, the number of firms benefitting from this flagship Scottish Government policy has risen from 835 in 2008 to 1229 in 2017/18.

£1.6 million has been spent across Orkney to support local businesses this year through the scheme.

Maree Todd said:

Maree Todd MSP

“To have 1229 businesses in Orkney and over 103,000 across Scotland benefitting from this policy is good for jobs and good for communities – helping to keep more money in our neighbourhoods and boosting our high streets.”

“Over the last decade, the Scottish Government has taken strong action to support local businesses, while other parties have carped from the sidelines and chased cheap headlines rather than actually doing anything to support local jobs.”

“It is the SNP that has delivered over £226 million of rates relief across Scotland in 2017/18 – and over £1.6 million in Orkney alone.”