5. To ask the Scottish Government how the measures set out in its programme for government 2023-24 will support community wealth building. (S6O-02564)

Employment of the community wealth-building model of economic development has the potential to improve the impacts of a wide range of measures that are set out in the new programme for government. Specifically, in the year ahead, we will work to ensure that procurement activity continues to contribute to community wealth building in the form of stronger businesses and high-quality jobs. The programme for government also confirms that we will collaborate with our partners in the public, private, third and community sectors on legislative proposals informed by the recent community wealth building public consultation.

It is clear that the community wealth building approach is one of our most effective tools in building a sustainable wellbeing economy in which everybody in Scotland can thrive. Does the minister agree that measures taken this year to support our local economies and supply chains will help to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive community wealth-building bill later in the parliamentary session?

I agree that the community wealth-building approach is one of the most effective tools that we have to create a sustainable wellbeing economy, support business growth and create fair jobs. We will continue to build on the excellent progress that has been made to date by local authorities working in partnership with communities, businesses, the third sector and wider public sector organisations to support the implementation of the approach.

We will publish the findings of the recent consultation on community wealth-building legislation later in the autumn. The consultation has provided a rich source of ideas and evidence that will help to frame the development of legislative proposals to advance community wealth building in Scotland.