NFU Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to act swiftly and commit to a multi-annual funding framework for Scottish agriculture, following today’s UK Government Spending Review. The UK Government has confirmed that the devolved governments have the certainty they need to set their own multi-year budgets.
The UK Government’s Spending Review has confirmed that the Scottish Government has been given clear line-of-sight on funding for the next three financial years, clearly stating that the Scottish Government will continue to receive over 20 per cent more funding per head than the equivalent UK Government spending across the UK, meaning it will be able to spend more on its priorities.
NFU Scotland President, Andrew Connon, said:
“The Spending Review has delivered a line of sight for the Scottish Government by providing a multi-annual funding commitment for the next three years. This provides the Scottish Government with the certainty to fulfil its repeated commitments to effectively support farming and crofting.
“Not only are we calling on the Scottish Government to provide a three-year commitment but also to deliver a significant real terms increase in the key farm support budgets. As we move through the gears of changing agricultural support, with more conditions attached to deliver new outcomes, farmers and crofters can only do so with additional direct support backing.”
Connon added:
“Our farmers and crofters are facing huge cost pressures, from inflation to climate adaptation to supply chain volatility. A predictable, enhanced multi-annual budget is essential to allow businesses to invest with confidence and secure the food production and environmental benefits that Scottish agriculture delivers for everyone.”
NFU Scotland will continue to work closely with Scottish Government Ministers and officials to ensure Scotland's farmers and crofters get the multi-annual funding framework they need to thrive and deliver.
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Contact Carly Ross on 07860 642826