MP signs up for Business Buddy week

Sheila Gilmore, Labour MP for Edinburgh East, will carry out a work placement to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses.

She will visit the Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living on Albion Road - a charitable company which helps disabled people to live independently - tomorrow.

Ms Gilmore's visit has been arranged as part of the Business Buddy scheme, recently launched by the Forum of Private Business.

The Forum's head of campaigns, Jane Bennett, said: "We want politicians to see for themselves what it's like to run a small business, so that's why we developed the Business Buddy scheme."

Small Business Minister, Mark Prisk, has given Business Buddy his backing and urged his fellow MPs to get involved.