I thank Emma Harper not just for her question but for her work in this area. We appreciate the challenges that many employers have faced due to the pandemic, Brexit and the rising cost of doing business, and that some sectors and regions, particularly in rural areas, continue to face difficulties.

The Scottish Government’s fair work action plan commits to supporting employers

“to utilise the resources ... available to embed Fair Work in their organisations.”

We have made fair work first guidance available and have developed a fair work employer support tool with our enterprise and skills agencies. I pay tribute to the work of South of Scotland Enterprise and its partners to encourage the uptake of the real living wage in Emma Harper’s region.

We will continue to work with partners to join up provision of advice and support for employers through a central fair work resource, making it as simple and efficient as possible to use.