Image source, bbc

Illegal drugs on wards and concerns over patient restraint have been highlighted in a report into NHS Tayside's mental health services.

The independent inquiry's interim report has identified "key themes for further investigation" after hearing evidence from more than 1,300 people.

It said some patients were frightened of certain staff members.

NHS Tayside said improvements had been made in key areas highlighted in the interim report.

The inquiry, external is reviewing safety, care standards and access to mental health services.

Read more here.

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The Scottish government will now give its reaction to the interim report, external on NHS Tayside's mental health services.

The investigation found illegal drugs in wards and raises concerns over patient restraint.

The investigation was initially ordered into Dundee's Carseview Centre but was expanded to look at services across Tayside following a campaign by families of people who took their own lives.

The Business Support Inquiry remit was:

“To understand the range of support services available to new and existing small and medium sized businesses at a local level across Scotland, with a particular focus on Business Gateway. The Committee will evaluate current provision and explore ways of ensuring businesses receive the support they need to grow and succeed.”

It is ten years since the Scottish government decided to give local authorities responsibility for running local Business Gateway services.

During that period tens of thousands of people have started businesses, often with the help and support of local and national Business Gateway services such as workshops, one-to-one business advice and online market information.

Business Gateway is also here to help existing businesses.

Read more here., external

Green MSP Andy Wightman commends all those who on a daily basis deliver Business Gateway and he adds he was very impressed with the delivery of support.

Mr Wightman explains this inquiry was into the nature and structure of Business Gateway and he points out it is a local service delivered by local government budgets.

Business Gateway is delivered in different ways by different councils he adds.

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Mr Wightman points out Cosla provided a robust challenge to the committee's findings and that was welcome.

He says it wasn't clear how the Business Gateway service could ensure accountability and he adds the Irish model should be reviewed.

The Green MSP welcomes the minister and Cosla intimating they will look at the Irish model.

Ms Grant calls for a small business strategy and for SMEs to get access to the new Scottish national investment bank.

She also calls for access to procurement to be improved, suggested contracts be broken into smaller chunks which would also smaller businesses to bid for them.

Limits to what type of businesses the enterprise agencies are able to support are highlighted by the Labour MSP.

When a business is able to expand and grow, surely it should qualify for support she suggests.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant begins: "We need an industrial strategy that puts indigenous businesses at its heart."

Ms Grant points out it appears new government initiatives are causing problems, not sorting them.

She says it is very disappointing that Business Gateway was not included in enterprise and skills review.

The Labour MSP insists support must be made more accessible and Business Gateway must improve signposting to that support.

Mr Lockhart calls for budgets for Business Gateway to be published annually.

He also expresses concern about the lack of transparency around targets and reporting.

Business Gateway is not delivering the support required for SME's in Scotland, the Tory MSP insists.

It needs to be reformed, he concludes.

Image source, Spice

The Ccommittee also recommends that:

• There needs to be a clearly defined role and remit for Business Gateway

• Business Gateway has core targets that reflect a desire for continuous improvement, and that there is external monitoring of these targets

• Business Gateway spend should be published by each local authority in an annual report.

• Business Gateway offices should look for opportunities to improve collaboration with stakeholders, be it through co-location or other means, and learn lessons from best practice models.

• The Scottish government creates a National Head of Women in Business to coordinate national policy and work towards the establishment of a National Women's Centre for Business

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart points out it is difficult not to conclude the objectives set for business support are not being met.

Economic growth in Scotland continues to trail behind the rest of the UK, he adds.

Mr Lockhart calls for enterprise agencies and Business Gateway to be fit for purpose.

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Mr Lockhart argues the Scottish government has a cluttered approach to economic support.

The Tory MSP says the lack of clarity on the strategic alignment between Business Gateway and the enterprise agencies was disappointing.

"The Business Gateway budget has not increased in the last decade."

The minister acknowledges that things can be improved and he confirms the Scottish government has opened dialogue with partners on how to achieve this.

It is critical that local authorities remain key partners in the process as collaboration is central to our approach, he explains.

Mr Hepburn says the effectiveness of Scotland's business support environment has improved since the introduction of Scotland Can Do, external.

I hope engagement will continue and together we can exchange ideas on how to improve business support, he concludes.

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Business Minister Jamie Hepburn says the findings of this report bear open and frank discussion.

Mr Hepburn adds supporting businesses in Scotland is absolutely essential as SMEs are the bedrock of the Scottish economy.

Mr Hepburn takes a moment to visit the successes of the Business Gateway.

He says these include:

• real effective support on a daily basis
• support of Indeglås, Advantures and Elevator
• diligence and expertise of Business Gateway staff

Image source, Business Gateway

"Business Gateway , externalis a publicly funded service contributing to the economic well being of Scotland by providing access to free business support services.

"Business Gateway is delivered by local authorities.

"We also have strong partnerships with a wide variety of organisations to help deliver the best advice and support to Scottish businesses.

"We offer a range of professional resources, support and tools to help you learn new skills, create new opportunities and develop sustainable strategies for growth."

Mr Lindhurst says the local government bench-marking framework does not include anything on targets for Business Gateway.

We recommended a national target but this was rejected by Cosla on the basis of local democracy, he says.

But he highlights concerns from business bodies like FSB Scotland and the Chambers of Commerce, who highlight that the Business Gateway is a national service.

We all know the relationship between local and central government can be difficult, the convener accepts, but inadequate responses should be called out.

He goes on, the highlight aspects of Business Gateway were praised by the committee, but says there are points to improve on.

"We want businesses to get the right support, in the right place at the right time."

Image source, Business Gateway

Business Gateway was passed to local authority control in 2008, after being introduced in 2003.

There are 18 lead local authority areas co-ordinating service delivery of Business Gateway on behalf of the 32 local authorities.

The number of businesses starting-up in Scotland is important to economic growth.

There were 345,915 private sector businesses (registered and unregistered and excluding central and local government) operating in Scotland in 2018 – a fall of 8,830 (-2.5%) since 2017.

Find the committee’s full report on Business Support here, external.

Economy committee convener Gordon Lindhurst begins philosophically: "We speak therefore we are."

After quoting PG Wodehouse, Mr Lindhurst pivots to the Business Support Inquiry report which is the subject of today's debate.

The Tory MSP says this could have been the first inquiry in 2016, but then "another matter came along" and the impact of leaving the EU inquiry was undertaken instead.

He points out the Business Support Inquiry received 355 responses to the online survey.

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Business Gateway were not included in the enterprise and skills review Mr Lindhurst tells the chamber.

He says the government responded by accepting more could be done by it and Cosla.

"Jim Hackers' first rule of politics was never believe anything until it is officially denied," he adds, calling for more transparency and openness.

Image source, Multiple/SP

The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has expressed concern about the lack of transparency, accountability and alignment of Business Gateway, a local-authority provision that aims to help businesses develop and grow.

The business gateway is a programme managed by local authorities to provide support to businesses for growth and development.

But councils were criticised for not being transparent about budgets and performance of the gateway.

The approach in Ireland provides a mix of tailored local delivery and national strategic direction.

The committee calls for the Scottish government to review the Irish model and consider whether it is applicable in the Scottish context to overcome the current accountability and alignment challenges.

Read the report here., external

Image source, Getty Images

Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee, external debate: Business Support Inquiry, external.

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There’s no parliamentary business on Thursday due to the EU elections, so FMQs will take place this afternoon.

• Business support inquiry debate
• NHS Tayside mental health review interim report statement

Image source, PA/SP

• General questions

• First minister’s questions: Kick off at 4.15pm
• Local radio content debate

Convener Edward Mountain asks about the level of income Glasgow would get from a levy.

We have not gotten to that level of analysis yet, Cllr Richardson says, adding the focus has been on improving the transport system.

The convener asks the panel, if they had to choose, would they pursue a low emission zone, congestion charging or the workplace parking levy to tackle air quality?

All witnesses back a low emission zone.

That ends today's session.