McArthur comments on Young Enterprise Scotland facing closure

Responding to news that Young Enterprise Scotland risks closure and its staff issued with redundancy notices, Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur said:

"I am concerned at news of the withdrawal of funding from Young Enterprise Scotland and my thoughts are with YES staff who face an uncertain future.

“At a local level, YES has been embedded in Orkney for three decades now. I have seen first-hand the important work it does in local schools, both with young people and teaching staff.

“And the impact of this work is tangible. It’s no exaggeration to say that more than a few small local businesses have grown out of the YES pipeline.

"I understand the financial pressures facing the Scottish Government, but a total withdrawal of funding from YES seems excessive, particularly given earlier assurances.

“I will be writing to the Finance Secretary, therefore, to see what can be done to revisit this decision, prevent the collapse of YES and allow at least some of the important young enterprise work to continue in Orkney and elsewhere.”