Over the last 9 years, I have spoken to hundreds of local businesses in the Borders. I recognise that small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of our local economy but we need to work harder to promote what the Borders has to offer.
Making Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK and the added uncertainty of a second independence referendum is harming local businesses. Business confidence, economic growth and employment in Scotland are all worse than the rest of the UK because of the SNP's economic mismanagement. Entrepreneur looking to set up a business in the area are increasingly going to look at south of the Border, where taxes are lower and infrastructure investment is happening at a faster rate.
I also support businesses affected by the recent flooding and will continue to press for the Scottish Government to fully fund a flood prevention scheme for Hawick as quickly as possible, as well as set up an Enterprise Zone for the town.
