To ask the Scottish Government how it supports skilled manufacturing businesses to expand and thrive. (S6O-04094)

In recent years, we have invested significantly to support Scottish manufacturing, including through our £75 million investment in the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland. It works with companies of all sizes to unlock productivity gains, develop new products and processes and transform workforce skills through its manufacturing skills academy. Our programme for government confirmed our goal to support promising deep-tech businesses with prototypes and manufacturing.

MJM Frames, based in Maryhill, manufactures bespoke, high-quality hardwood frames for domestic and commercial furnishings, as well as sofas for temporary furnished properties. MJM employs nine people and it has ambitious plans to relocate locally to secure a long-term future for its workforce, support expansion, increase competitiveness and potentially double its workforce. How does the Scottish Government support businesses such as MJM Frames in my constituency, and will the minister accept my invitation to visit MJM Frames in the new year?

I am pleased to hear about MJM Frames and its ambitious plans to relocate locally and increase its workforce significantly. In the light of Bob Doris’s invitation, I would be more than happy to consider a visit to the company, if he wants to follow up in writing with further detail.

In the meantime, we will continue to work with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland to support small manufacturers to expand and upscale their workforce. I would also draw the company’s attention to the Built Environment-Smarter Transformation innovation centre—BE-ST—which sounds very relevant for a company that is involved in the construction of hardwood frames.

As the Deputy First Minister outlined a few moments ago, there are also a number of support measures in the draft budget.