The SNP have welcomed statistics showing 57 per cent of small businesses are benefitting from the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus scheme.

In a written answer to SNP MSP Paul Wheelhouse, Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed over half of non-domestic properties in Scotland are in receipt of rates relief.

The SNP’s budget will bring £382million additional capital spending for 2012-15, supporting 5,000 jobs and boosting the economy.

Finance Secretary John Swinney set out how investment in transport, housing, health and digital projects will fuel economic growth in Scotland.

SNP MSP John Wilson has welcomed £2.5million funding that will finance interest free loans to small businesses to help them install renewables technologies.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced the Scottish Government's small business loans scheme which will offer loans of up to £100,000 to help save energy.

Commenting on reports that National Australia Bank (NAB) – which owns Clydesdale Bank – is reviewing its operations in the UK after abandoning hopes of a near-term economic recovery in the UK as a result of the Tory-Lib Dem Government’s austerity programme, SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP warned that the uncertainty being caused by the UK Government’s economic failures was causing un

The SNP has welcomed a report showing Scotland has topped a table for attracting foreign companies to invest – ahead of every other region in the UK outside London.

Cardiff Business School Study says Scotland attracted an average of nine per cent of new UK inward investment projects between 2005-10 – far above the 6.8% of North West England ranked in second position.

Commenting on the announcement that RBS chief executive Stephen Hester has been awarded a £1million bonus by the taxpayer owned bank, the SNP said that UK Government rhetoric over ‘moral capitalism’ and promises to curb executive pay were worthless.

SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir has warned that small businesses could be hard hit by proposed post pricing changes after Ofcom, the regulator, confirmed in a letter to the MP that its proposals could mean that the universal service obligation will be limited to second class services only.

Mr Weir said:

Speaking following a statement by Vince Cable on executive pay, SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir MP challenged the UK Business Secretary to show there is substance behind the rhetoric on ‘moral capitalism’ and seek justice for Farepak savers.

Finance Secretary John Swinney today welcomed new figures that show that Scottish GDP grew by 0.5 per cent - the strongest since the second quarter of 2010 - and manufactured exports grew by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2011 (July-September).  Mr Swinney stepped up the call for a UK-wide jobs summit to agree an immediate programme of employment creation, in response to rising unemp

Four Enterprise Areas are to be created in Scotland with an emphasis on some of our most dynamic industries with the greatest potential to create new employment opportunities, stimulate private investment and boost economic growth.

Finance Secretary John Swinney announced the 14 sites and said: