Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch today (02/03/15) submitted his own formal response to the Croft House Grant Scheme Consultation, which included recommending that the levels of assistance to the proposed new high and standard priority areas, should be at least £40,000 and preferably at least double the current rate, and in doing so he urged constituents to take part in the consultation process.

Commenting on this, Mr Thompson said, “I have long been committed to the needs of crofters and farmers. The former farm in difficult conditions, often living the most frugal of lives.

In contributing to the consultation I make it known that an increase of £6,000 for assistance to new high and standard priority areas is welcome, but that it does not go nearly far enough.

The assistance required should be at least £40,000, which would be nearer to the 40% being offered for improvements, but preferably it should be double the current rates of assistance.

I would urge everyone with an interest in the Croft House Grant Scheme to make their submissions known before the closing date of 31st March, as the best consultations are those that are the most participative”.

Notes:

Link to Croft House Grant Scheme Consultation:

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/01/4893

Croft House Grant Scheme Consultation

Response from Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.

Q1 – The Scottish Government proposes to replace the 3 present Geographical Priority Areas with 2 new areas. These new areas are suggested to be the Island and Non-Island Areas used for Common Agricultural Policy assistance.

Do you have any comments on this proposal?

I agree with replacing the current 3 Geographical Priorities with 2 new areas.

Q2 - The Scottish Government proposes to increase the levels of assistance to

£28,000 and £23,000 for the proposed new high and standard priority areas.

This represents a significant increase in the available assistance and also

future proofs that assistance. Do you have any comments on this proposal?

An increase of £6,000 for assistance to new high and standard priority areas is welcome but it does not go nearly far enough. The assistance required should be at least £40,000, which would be nearer to the 40% being offered for improvements, but preferably it should be double the current rates of assistance.

Q3. The Scottish Government considers that the costs of making improvements to housing is broadly similar irrespective of location; and therefore proposes to standardise the assistance offered to 40% of the actual costs of improvement up to the proposed maximum of £28,000 in the proposed new Island geographical area; and up to the proposed maximum of £23,000 in the proposed new Non-Island geographical area. Do you have any comments on this proposal?

Not sure I agree as costs in some remote rural areas are affected by additional transport and associated costs, but I will be interested in the comments of others.