Immigrants supporting thousands of jobs and boosting economy by£13m
Immigrant entrepreneurs are contributing £13 million to the Scottish economy and support 107,000 jobs, according to a new report.
Research by the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland found that one in ten small businesses in Scotland is owned by an immigrant and in 2017 37,339 businesses were started by people moving to Scotland from elsewhere in the UK.
A further 17,567 Scots who had lived overseas chose to launch their enterprise back in Scotland in the same year and 18,416 people born outside the UK also set up their own Scottish business.
While the FSB Scotland said the report highlighted a need for specialist support for immigrant entrepreneurs, the Scottish Government said it underlined its demand for immigration to be devolved to Holyrood.
Migration minister Ben Macpherson said: “It is becoming increasingly vital for Scotland to be able to design and implement migration policies tailored to the needs of Scottish businesses, communities and public services, and for the devolution of powers to deliver new solutions.”
But Scottish Conservative shadow economy secretary Dean Lockhart said: “A thriving small business sector is absolutely crucial to growing Scotland’s economy and entrepreneurs, regardless of where they come from, must be supported and encouraged. Unfortunately, Scotland’s small businesses are being hit by the SNP’S punitive business rates and their failure to provide support. The SNP must now reduce business rates, improve infrastructure and ensure Scotland has a welleducated labour market.”
Andrew Mcrae of FSB’S Scotland said: “This research found particularly poor links between immigrant entrepreneurs and the public bodies charged with giving them a hand. This is a problem which needs addressed. We should also try and make our country a hub for those with the determination to succeed. That includes persuading those from elsewhere in the UK that Scotland is the ideal location for their business venture.”