Seòmar agus comataidhean

Let me move on to my second question, which is related to digital skills and expertise. E-commerce has become quite a big thing and there is a need for small and medium-sized businesses to be skilled to work in that area. Other digital skills are also required. What is the enterprise agencies’ role in improving those skills and giving businesses the confidence to move into e-commerce and related fields? Bryan McGrath, would you comment on that?

I have one final question. The figures I have seen show that Scotland has about 2 per cent of the e-commerce business in the UK. How does that relate to the fact that all those companies are getting training and so on in e-commerce? Why are we not at a higher percentage?

Douglas Cowan, how does Highlands and Islands Enterprise treat compulsory purchases and what is your plan for derelict land and buildings?

As I understand it, the principle behind the agent of change approach is that if there is a development within a town centre, whoever is the principal mover in that is responsible for mitigating any impacts on the public from noise and so on. Has that had any impact on town centre regeneration?

It is good to highlight that. I turn to Derek Shaw now and ask him that question: why have you never used the powers? Do you think that they should be used?

Broadly speaking, you do not see a specific role for Scottish Enterprise in the regeneration of town centres, other than supporting the businesses where that is appropriate.

Douglas, what is happening in your area?

I was not talking internationally; I was talking about the domestic market.

Your responses have been informative on that.

I will take a slightly different angle. During the Covid-19 pandemic there was a big change in working practices and a huge increase in home and hybrid working. That has continued, has it not? We have not gone back fully to being in the office again. Consequently, there will be an impact on our high streets, on the sandwich shops and the little retailers that have staff popping in from time to time. What might that mean for future planning policy?

Steve Rogers, do you have a view on that?