The Week Ahead in Scottish Politics
One of last week’s major political developments in Scotland saw MSPs declare a housing emergency in Scotland after a Scottish Labour Party Motion was passed in Holyrood. The debate on the motion highlighted the rural dimension to this emergency, with Conservative and Labour members discussing the need to take more action in rural areas to tackle depopulation.
SLE has been following this development closely, and has written to the housing minister to highlight the positive contribution our members are making to tackle this emergency, whilst setting out key policy priorities for the Government to consider to help alleviate the housing shortage, deliver more affordable homes in the right places and tackle rural depopulation. Our letter coincided with the submission of our written evidence to the lead committee for the new Housing Bill.
Stage 2 of the Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill concluded in the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on Wednesday. Almost 40 amendments were passed on the Bill during Stage 2 proceedings, including additions to the list of farming types and products which could receive support in Schedule 1 of the Bill. Among the changes that SLE secured was the addition of ‘deer and game’ to the list of farming types and ‘venison’ to the list of products.
The Bill now moves to the final stage of the parliamentary process which we expect to be completed by the end of June.
You can read the SLE press statement following the completion of Stage 2 here.
Whilst all of us at Scottish Land and Estates are focused on our flagship annual conference this week, which will welcome senior politicians from across parties in delivering keynote speeches and participating in our panel discussions, business in Holyrood continues with some key rural issues being discussed in committees and in the chamber, including:
• MSPs in the NZET (Net Zero Energy and Transport) committee will continue voting on changes to the Circular Economy Bill, including Murdo Fraser MSP’s amendments on flytipping regulations.
• Aberdeenshire MSP Alexander Burnett will lead a Members Debate on Lyme Disease Awareness Month, providing MSPs with the opportunity to discuss what more can be done to tackle the tick borne disease in our countryside.
• A question will be taken in the Chamber on Wednesday on whether the Scottish Government intends to push ahead with its plans to introduce a Carbon Land Tax.
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