News

Scottish Land & Estates calls for rural-focused measures in upcoming Scottish Budget

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the organisation representing rural land managers and businesses across Scotland, is calling on the Scottish Government to prioritise the needs of rural communities in its forthcoming Scottish Budget. Speaking ahead of Finance Secretary Shona Robison’s statement next Wednesday (December 4), Dee Ward, Chair...

Rural businesses urge ministers to rethink plans to sell-off large estates in lots

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, today urged Scottish Government to take on board ‘deeply felt concern’ over new land reform legislation that will give Ministers the power to make landowners sell large rural estates in lots. After giving evidence today on the Land Reform Bill to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero...

Holyrood support for rethink on UK farming taxes welcomed

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has welcomed the cross-party recognition of the triple blow to Scotland’s rural businesses caused by the recent UK budget. In a Scottish Conservative-led debate at Holyrood today, the SNP, Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives voiced strong concerns about Rachel Reeves’...

Rural communities welcome changes to New Build Heat Standard

Press Release

Allowing wood burners and other bioenergy (and peat) heating systems to be installed in new-build homes signals a welcome and common sense approach, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural organisation was speaking after the Scottish Government announced it would permanently revise the New Build Heat Standard to allow installation...

New natural capital report needs to be partnered with action on nature restoration funding

Press Release

A new report highlighting the importance of natural capital to the Scottish economy has been welcomed - but with a warning that mixed messages are still being given by government over its commitment to investing in wildlife and habitat restoration. Scottish Land & Estates commented after a new report from the Scottish Government found the...

£100million of rural funding spent on city housing, as SLE calls for urgent review

Press Release

The rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) is calling on the Scottish Housing Minister to return over £100million to Scotland’s rural communities after a recent Freedom of Information Request revealed that funding earmarked for rural housing developments was used to build homes in the cities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh...

SLE welcomes signs of Scottish Government listening to concerns of housing providers

Press Release

The Housing Minister, Paul McLennan MSP outlined an amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill today that restructures the Scottish Government’s rent control proposals, taking into account the cost of inflation (CPI). The rent control system as proposed sets a cap on rent increases in certain areas. The announcement today adjusts the cap...

Statement on the 2024 Budget

Press Release

SLE Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing made the following statement in response to the Budget announced on 30 October. SLE Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Laing said: “The UK Budget represents a double blow for Scotland’s rural communities, who will rightly feel let down by the Chancellor’s announcements. “Despite repeated calls from the farming...

SLE statement on RSPB bird crime report

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement regarding the RSPB Birdcrime report, which has been published today (Wednesday 23 October). Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “In recent years, Scottish Government official wildlife crime reports have demonstrated a decline in bird crime to the...

SLE urges UK Government to support rural communities in upcoming Budget

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the rural business organisation, has said the upcoming UK Budget presents the opportunity for significant fiscal reforms to support Scotland's rural communities, tackle climate change, and ensure the sustainable future of the rural economy. In a pre-budget submission, SLE outlines critical areas requiring...