SCOTLAND’S RURAL economy and tourism funding pot was increased to £1.12 billion by the latest Scottish budget, in an effort to prioritise support for those areas worse affected by coronavirus and Brexit.

While £613 million will be spent on ongoing agricultural support to help farmers towards climate change targets, the budget also included £55 million to undo the 'disproportionate damage' to tourism caused by Covid, and a doubling of the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to £6.2 million – to boost visitor facilities such as car parks and toilets.

Forestry and Land Scotland and Scottish Forestry will receive £121.2 million to deliver increased woodland creation and £103 million is to be provided for rural enterprise bodies supporting green recovery in fragile communities.

To help deliver net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, £40 million has been allocated for the Agricultural Transformation Programme.

There will also be £14 million to support and enhance the seafood sectors and £5 million to deliver year two of the Food and Drink Sector recovery plan supporting recovery from Covid and mitigation of Brexit consequences.

Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing commented: “With this investment we will ensure stability across the rural economy, create green jobs, cut emissions, address climate change and enhance our environment. This funding will also support the resumption of domestic tourism when the time is right.

“But I know Covid isn’t the only issue affecting businesses across my portfolio,” he continued. “We’re seeing businesses struggle due to the impact of Brexit, with additional costs being incurred because of bureaucracy and loss of funding from the EU.

“Our food producers and rural communities face a £170 million gap in CAP EU replacement over four years and Scottish Fisheries have had only £14 million made available by the UK Government instead of the £62 million they were seeking. I will not rest until this money is back where it belongs, in the pockets of Scotland’s people and businesses.”