Commendation for Hebridean Social Enterprises

That the Parliament congratulates Uist and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides on being awarded Scotland's first Social Enterprise Place Award; considers that the people in these island areas work tirelessly to build community wealth and resilience; understands that the Outer Hebrides has 122 social enterprises, the equivalent of 45 per 10,000 people, making it the second densest population of social enterprise in Scotland; notes that social enterprises have created assets, installed infrastructure and supported hundreds of jobs in the islands; acknowledges their importance in making Scotland a thriving and desirable place to live, and commends the hard work and commitment of the communities of Uist and Lewis in ensuring that social enterprises will continue to provide essential support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.