Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you. That brings us to the end of the evidence session. I thank all the witnesses for their contributions in answering our questions. It has been a wide-ranging discussion. If witnesses wish to send written supplementary evidence to the committee, we will be pleased to receive it.

I am sorry, Mr Smyth, but we are a bit pushed for time. Dave Moxham’s answer related to the next questions, which will be asked by Fiona Hyslop. I will hand over to her, and I am sure that she will cover the area that you were about to address.

It appears that Dave Moxham has had to leave the committee early. You suggested that you would also like to hear from Carolyn Currie. We will close the session after that.

Good morning and welcome to the second meeting in 2021 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. We have received apologies from Alexander Burnett.

I take this opportunity to congratulate former committee member Lorna Slater on her appointment as minister. I am sure that we will see her on the other side of the table at some point in the parliamentary session. I also welcome to the meeting Maggie Chapman MSP. Although not a full committee member, she is joining us for this morning’s evidence-taking session.

Agenda item 1 is a decision on taking business in private. Are members content to take items 4 and 5 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Yes—if the responses could be concise, that would be helpful.

I am afraid that we appear to have another technical issue. We can—

Item 2 is an evidence-taking session on business recovery. I welcome to the meeting our panel of witnesses: Carolyn Currie, chief executive, Women’s Enterprise Scotland; Rose Marley, chief executive, Co-operatives UK; Barry McCulloch, head of policy, Federation of Small Businesses Scotland; Dave Moxham, deputy general secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress; and Charandeep Singh BEM, deputy chief executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce. Thank you for joining us this morning. The aim of the session is to consider the economic recovery of Scottish businesses and to inform the committee’s input to the Scottish Government’s budget for 2022-23.

I will start with a question for Barry McCulloch and Charandeep Singh. Obviously we have come through a very difficult time for Scotland’s economy and businesses. Although the restrictions of the pandemic are easing, making it easier for some businesses to operate, the pandemic is expected to have quite a long tail and some sectors and regions will continue to find things difficult over the next length of time. Barry, can you give us an idea of which sectors and regions will continue to need prioritised support?

Barry, can you pause for a minute? We cannot hear you.

I will move to Charandeep Singh just now, and then come back to Barry McCulloch.

I know that it can be frustrating for members who want to address questions to the whole panel, but it is helpful to our broadcasting colleagues if members name the panel member to whom they are directing the question.

I apologise, Mr Beattie, but a number of members are interested in the subject, so I will move on, if you do not mind. If witnesses have a response to Mr Beattie’s final question, they can wrap it up in their next response. I hand over to Jamie Halcro Johnston.

Thank you, Colin, and thanks to everybody for supporting me to be convener of this important committee. I am looking forward to taking on the role. As we have moved through the pandemic, there has been a huge impact on our economy and wellbeing, and the committee will have a big part to play in building Scotland’s recovery and working with members across Parliament—[Inaudible.]

We require to appoint a deputy convener. Parliament has agreed that only members of the Scottish National Party are eligible for nomination as deputy convener. I invite members to make their nominations.