Small business: Johnstone calls for universal online access
Alison Johnstone has called for Government action after a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) report found that many small businesses struggle to make use of digital opportunities.
Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian and Scottish Green Party Candidate for Edinburgh Central, said:
“Online access is no longer a “nice to have” luxury, but an essential part of the daily lives of people and business. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and given that half of Scottish businesses are home-based, making sure that every household and premise can make use of this essential service is crucial.
“If it’s serious about sustainable economic development, the Government must ensure that small businesses have the support and resources necessary to thrive in an environment that’s dominated by big corporations. We should start thinking about ways to guarantee that a decent telecom service is accessible throughout the country.
“In today’s economy, you should be able to make use of the internet whether you’re a fish monger in the Tayside or a multinational in central Glasgow. We need to ensure that telecom providers are delivering a service that is universal, high-quality and fit for the needs of people and business.”