THE SNP have said they are the only party standing up for businesses in Scotland, with bold policies that will create jobs and drive economic recovery. Speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto for business, Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said that, if re-elected, the SNP will “harness Scotland’s innovation and ingenuity to create jobs and drive a strong and green economic recovery”.

In government the SNP have provided more than £3 billion of pandemic support to firms and, as the economy re-opens, many will receive restart grants of between £7000 and £19,500.

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The manifesto also pledges to continue the Small Business Bonus scheme, invest £100 million to help SMEs get access to the right digital skills and equipment, support a 500% increase in the number of employee-owned businesses by 2030 and create a mechanism to support more employee buyouts.