Support for small businesses

That this House recognises the tremendous pressures placed on businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector over the period of the covid-19 pandemic; welcomes evidence that many businesses have sustained or improved their offer to customers as they welcome them back after such a lengthy disruption; notes that many trade and industry bodies continue to highlight examples of great businesses in this sector, including recent awards for F & M Hairdressers of Barrhead, Scottish winners for Best Salon Team of the year in this year’s Salon Awards, and Lucali by Andiamo and Toni’s, both of Giffnock, and Villaggio of Eaglesham, all of them Highly Recommended in the Scottish Italian Awards, and all of them great contributors to the community and economy of East Renfrewshire; further notes that Saturday 4 December 2021 is Small Business Saturday across the UK; and calls on all levels of government to support the small businesses whose development and success in the years ahead will be a vital factor in delivering a fairer and more sustainable post-pandemic and net-zero economy.