Land Reform political priorities out of step with public
Press ReleaseScottish Land & Estates said today that a new survey by the Scottish Land Commission on land reform demonstrated that political agendas on land reform are out of step with public priorities.
The rural business organisation was responding to the ScotLand Futures report published by the commission today, which presents findings from a survey of 1,200 people.
The Scottish Government and Scottish Land Commission believe the pattern of land ownership, transparency of ownership and community involvement are key drivers for land reform.
However, SLE said that what is striking about the survey is that those issues are supported only a minority of respondents. The survey findings include:
Only a quarter of respondents (24.4%) believe that ownership is concentrated in too few hands.
Just one in five people (21%) said those who own significant parts of Scotland should also be part of the communities whose lives their decisions affect.
Less than one in ten people (9.4%) said that changes to the tax system could help make a big difference to how land is owned and used in Scotland.
Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:
“Landowners are every bit as committed to change - real change that boosts rural jobs, communities and the environment. Yet the report’s headline claim that 96% of respondents ‘want change’ offers little clarity because the report fails to say what that change is supposed to be.
“Land reform is often presented as a question of ownership. We are told time and again by government, the land commission and other political parties that the big issues are pattern of ownership and transparency but that is not borne out by this survey.
“Only 24% of respondents said ownership is too concentrated; put another way, this suggests that more than 75% - did not view Scotland’s pattern of landownership as a problem.
“The survey has given us an interesting insight to what people actually think and It would be helpful to hear what the Land Commission intends to ask of the Scottish Government, local authorities and others who actually hold the levers to drive meaningful change in key areas such as planning and funding for rural development .
“Land based businesses are all for change that will benefit rural Scotland and are at the forefront of delivery.
“We have long held the belief that the debate around land reform needs to be modernised and based on outcomes for people, jobs and nature rather than ideological stances on ownership. . If we do that then positive change – which is supported and embraced by land-based businesses – can be achieved.”