A hammer blow

Peter Chapman Scottish Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary

“This budget was a hammer blow for farmers across Scotland.

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“Not only will a huge number of Scots be paying more income tax thanks to the SNP, but they’ll be getting less in return.

“Demand has increased over the past year for agri-environmental schemes, which help farmers adopt a more environmentally friendly approach and cut carbon emissions, so it is worrying Derek Mackay has chosen to cut these.

“This money should be for those who need it most, but instead the SNP are taking millions of pounds away from an industry that simply can’t afford it.

“Given the shambles we’ve seen with the CAP payments in recent years, it’s no wonder that farmers are upset with this SNP Government.

“With farm debt rising, farm incomes falling, this budget has made it clear once and for all that they do not have the interests of farmers at heart.”

The only department to decrease budget

Mike Rumbles Liberal Democrat and North East MSP

“Scotland’s agricultural sector and our rural communities have huge potential for growth. However, it is the only department of the government that the Scottish Government has seen fit to cut, in cash terms, in this year’s budget. Many departments have seen an overall reduction, due to inflation, but none have been hit harder than the budget for Rural Economy and Connectivity.

Scotland is a world leader in high quality food and drink, tourism remains vibrant, and now more than ever before we have a huge opportunity to bring our energy sector back to life. That is why I am disappointed by the lack of ambition set out by the Scottish Government. It is a missed opportunity.

Scotland’s rural communities have some challenging years ahead, partly due to Brexit and partly because of the SNP’s catastrophic mismanagement of our rural economy.

There are, however, opportunities on the horizon as well. I believe that we need decisive and urgent investment in our rural services and infrastructure, including broadband, and strong ties to markets in Europe with free access to those who buy our products. Unfortunately, that may mean meeting all the requirements of selling within the EU without having a say on the rules.

This year’s SNP budget was little more than tinkering around the edges. After ten years in Government the SNP have run out of ideas and they seem content to re-issue undelivered promises on broadband and ‘protecting’ our police and fire services. While in the meantime our rural economy budget has been reduced, local services are being squeezed and Ministers sit on their hands and do nothing to take advantage of the opportunities in our rural communities.”