Annual performance spotlights

Promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth and tackle disadvantage

This priority is about strengthening South Lanarkshire’s economy, bringing jobs and opportunities to local people, encouraging growth and investment, and supporting the transition to a low carbon economy which is fundamental to the wellbeing of South Lanarkshire and its residents. It is also about reducing the gap between the most and least disadvantaged and affluent communities, giving everyone an equal opportunity, and creating conditions which enable individuals and communities to contribute equally and share in any economic benefits.

Case study: Business Gateway supported businesses through the pandemic

Business Gateway is the principle free advisory service for new and existing businesses. Business Gateway supported more than 1,400 businesses with a £115 million boost in turnover of businesses supported through free advice, access to expert help, workshops and events in the last year.

From March 2021, the service worked with 1,477 companies – 1,000 new starts and 477 existing businesses - providing free support and impartial advice to help improve growth and performance through increased turnover, jobs created or safeguarded, more efficient operational activities and improved productivity.

The Business Gateway Lanarkshire contract was awarded to Enterprise North East Trust Limited, which trades as Elevator, in March 2021 and is managed by South and North Lanarkshire councils.

In the first year of the contract, the service has

run 175 online workshops covering a wide range of topics
delivered a Flagship Accelerator course helping early-stage business owners to fast-track their business offering, growth, and investment potential
delivered an Academic Accelerator course in partnership with UWS supporting current and recent graduates to develop their business ideas
provided tailored support to key sectors of the economy, including tourism, food and drink, and construction

76 companies have also been awarded up to 21 hours of free consultancy support through the Expert Help service.

North and South Lanarkshire councils secured £552,500 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to provide these services in areas such as finance, digital development, internationalisation and research and development.

A further 55 companies have accessed up to 21 hours of free expert support through the Scottish Government-funded DigitalBoost programme enabling them to build their digital proficiency and adopt the technology needed to increase their competitiveness and productivity.

Community Renewal Funding of £875,000 has been secured to deliver targeted and an innovative mobile service of more localised business start-up and growth advice in the rural area and areas of deprivation in South Lanarkshire.

For further information contact Business Gateway Lanarkshire on 01698 756956 or through their website

How we did in 2021/22

Note: some 2021-22 results were impacted due to the Covid-19 crisis

Business support interventions by Economic Development (grants, loans, or advice): The target is 1,500 business support interventions. In 2021-22 the number of business support interventions was 2,679 compared to 3,075 in 2020-21. The target was met, bu

See South Lanarkshire means business

Percentage of the road network that should be considered for maintenance treatment: The target is less than 30.6%. In 2021-22 the percentage of road network considered for maintenance was 29.7% compared to 30.6% in 2020-21. The target was met, and perfor

See Road and footpath improvements

Unemployed people gaining sustainable employment: The target is 400 people. In 2021-22 there were 1,146 unemployed people gaining sustainable employment compared to 410 in 2020-21. The target was met, and performance is improving.

See Getting into work or training

Unemployed people supported via council operated employability programmes: The target is 1,000 people. There were 1,934 unemployed people supported via council operated employability programmes in 2021-22 compared to 1,334 in 2020-21. The target was met,

See Getting into work or training