News

Rural Scotland ‘sidelined’ in Scottish Budget

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has said the Scottish Budget does little to ‘move the dial’ on supporting rural communities for the long-term. Stephen Young, Director of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The Scottish Budget offered an opportunity for the Scottish government to put down a marker on how it...

Rural businesses urge governments to ‘reset’ relationship

Press Release

The Scottish and UK governments have been urged to ‘reset’ their relationship with rural Scotland in a renewed effort to restore economic growth and create vibrant local communities. Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, has published a new policy prospectus entitled ‘Rural Reset – policy choices from rural voices’ to...

Wildlife Estates Scotland appoints new project manager

Press Release

A new project manager has been announced for Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), the international wildlife and habitat best practice accreditation scheme. Neil Gunn has been appointed to the role, which will see him assume responsibility for day-to-day management of WES. Hailing from rural Perthshire, Neil has a strong affinity with the...

Scottish Land & Estates expresses concerns over Housing Bill at Stage 1 debate

Press Release

Building more homes in rural Scotland is key to solving the housing crisis in these regions, not introducing rent controls, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) said today. The organisation, which represents rural businesses and housing providers, has raised significant concerns about the Scottish Government’s Housing (Scotland) Bill as the...

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...