The Scottish Government awarded less national reserve entitlements for the second year running, as £770,000-worth of payment went to 2017 claims. This is down significantly from the first year of the current CAP regime, which saw £8.7m of entitlements awarded to new and young businesses in 2015.

The national reserve is designed to provide Basic Area Payment entitlements for new businesses entering farming for the first time.

The eligibility has tightened significantly since the scheme’s first year – which was used to bring in businesses excluded from previous support schemes.

The figures from the Scottish Government show that less than £70,000 has been awarded to region three ground for 2016 and 2017.

Previously concerns were raised that new, large areas of unproductive hill ground could claim significant amounts of support. However, these figures show this is not the case.