BRIAN WHITTLE MSP (SOUTH SCOTLAND REGION)

Scotland’s business community has had a few challenging years. No sooner had we emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic than the cost-of-living crisis brought new difficulties.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many exciting and innovative businesses across Ayrshire. To succeed, I believe it’s important that business owners and entrepreneurs can not only get support from politicians if they need it but also have the chance to be heard as policy is developed.

In collaboration with the Ayrshire Chamber, I’ll be participating in some virtual forums on a range of topics, starting with the Deposit Return Scheme. These forums will be a chance for you to talk to me about the issues that matter to your business and what, if anything, I can do to help. I want to be very clear that this isn’t about politics, it’s about hearing your views and understanding your needs, whether you agree with me politically or not.

As someone who’s started their own business as well as working in others, I’m a great believer that the most successful businesses are those that not only think about the short-term urgent issues, but also the important long-term ones. And, as a politician, I know that the best way to create good policy is by listening and talking to those who will be affected by it.

More information about the forums will be circulated by the Chamber soon.

In the meantime, you can contact me any time by e-mail at Brian.Whittle. MSP@parliament.scot