The majority of smaller firms in Scotland are supporting local charities, a report has revealed
Small businesses are punching above their weight for charities.
Four in five Scottish smaller businesses contribute to their local community or give to charity, according to new research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
In the new study –Small Business, Big Heart – the small business campaign group examines the contribution of smaller firms to both local jobs markets and to the success of their neighbourhoods. In survey work conducted for the study it was found that 82% of Scottish smaller businesses had contributed to local causes in the last three years, in comparison to 80% across the UK as a whole.
The research also finds that a third of Scottish businesses (33%) have contributed the skills of their enterprise to their local community, such as a local restaurant giving free cookery classes to low income families. Two fifths (39%) of FSB’s Scottish members said that they’ve donated their time to local communities, such as running local clubs or organising events.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “Anyone with their finger on the pulse of their community knows that smaller businesses play a pivotal role. In our new research, we try to measure this contribution and we find that local firms are punching well above their weight.
“This new report underlines why it is important that policy-makers give smaller firms the best chance of success. That’s why we’ve made the case for rates help for the smallest Scottish operators and for them to get a fair share of public contracts.”
Off the back of the findings, FSB is calling on the UK Government to deliver on its manifesto promise of a one-year National Insurance Contributions (NICs) holiday for firms that employ those from disadvantaged groups.
McRae added: “Our research shows that smaller firms already take on huge numbers of people that face labour market challenges. We’re making the case for a little extra help so that they can achieve even more.”
On a UK-wide basis, the report finds that small employers are more likely to hire those from harder to reach groups than big corporations. The vast majority (78%) employ an older worker, a third (34%) have a member of staff with low levels of educational attainment, and a similar share (30%) employ at least one person with a known disability or mental health condition.
FSB national chairman Mike Cherry said: “Those who are disadvantaged are already more likely to find work with a small firm than a big corporation. Back in 2017, the Conservatives promised that – were they elected – they would introduce a one-year NICs holiday for firms that take on those with a disability, mental health condition or who have been out of work for some time.
“We’ve been left asking: when will this promise be delivered? Two years later, it should be prioritised. We look forward to the Chancellor outlining exactly how the commitment will be taken forward in the upcoming Spring Statement. With the labour market tightening, EU migration down and skills shortages starting to bite, it’s more vital than ever that this incentive is made available.”
Going the extra mile for charity
Pamela Hunter of Hunters of Kinross Butchers campaigned for the installation of life-saving equipment in her local community and beyond.
Pamela said: “After a customer sadly passed away following a cardiac arrest, I raised money to install a defibrillator outside our butcher’s shop and trained local people in CPR. Since then I’ve championed the initiative across Scotland and in Kinross itself, we have trained 508 people on how to use the defibrillator.”
Ramona Obafemi runs the Highlander Bus Café from the beachfront in Aberdeen. Her business supports a range of local charities and developed a free toy hire programme to cut down plastic waste.
Ramona said: “It’s also important to me that we have a positive impact on our local community. From helping to increase tourism to working with charitable organisations, mainly focused on children from more deprived backgrounds. The bus is more than just a business.”
Traffic Design, based in Glasgow’s Govan, donates used computer equipment to local good causes and provides design work to local charities for free.
Scott Witham, director at Traffic Design, said: “We moved out of the city centre to an area of regeneration to take advantage of the massively faster fibre broadband speeds, parking and office space that we just couldn’t get previously. In return we felt it was important to get involved
with our local community.
“We contacted the local hubs, drop in centres to introduce ourselves and donated equipment. We have now been in Govan for four years and have worked with primary schools, drawing up posters and graphics based on designs from local pupils and have even had our staff involved in local litter pick-ups.”
