Edinburgh Napier University

  This report outlines the UK contribution to the ‘Healthy Learning in SMEs’ project. The
report has been written so as to provide non-UK specialists with a brief overview of the
role of SMEs within the UK and Scottish economies and possible barriers to the
implementation of healthy learning within SMEs.
The report begins in section 1 with an overview of the UK economy and the importance
of SMEs to national economic growth. Significant economic and demographic trends in
the economy are outlined to provide a context to later discussion on the importance of
healthy working environments. Section 2 of the report considers EU and UK statutory
provision that influences the provision health and training activities within SMEs. This
section also focuses in on the crucial role that SMEs have within the Scottish economy
where fieldwork for the study takes place. Section 3 explores empirical evidence on the
role of SMEs in the delivery of a healthy learning environment for employees. Factors
that affect the likelihood of SMEs adopting healthy working practices for their employees
are discussed and include company size; level of understanding of workplace health
issues; business ethos. The report concludes by highlighting possible approaches to the
delivery of healthy learning within SMEs whilst recognising the limited human and
financial resources available to SMEs to deliver such programmes.