30 July 2009

Labour Shadow Minister for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Sarah Boyack MSP, is calling for the Scottish Government to fund the continuation of the Land Fund which has helped so many Highlands and Islands communities purchase their land over the last decade.

On a visit to Skye, Sarah Boyack was joined by Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Peter Peacock in making the call to the Scottish Government for a dedicated £10 million fund to be established.

Sarah Boyack said:

"Labour's land fund in combination with Labour's land reform act has fuelled one of the most radical and important drives to change land ownership across the Highlands and Islands and liberate the economic prospects of those areas.

"Sadly the land fund is coming to an end and no new applications for support are being accepted.

"It is too important to allow this to happen and to see the ambitions of many other communities thwarted.

"That is why I am urging the Scottish Government to make good a fund of £10 million over rolling three year periods to allow the remarkable progress made to continue.

"The Scottish government have the opportunity to provide a guarantee there will be a continuing fund and to see applications being kept open now."

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Peter Peacock MSP who as a council leader in Highland Council over a decade ago was instrumental in securing Council support to the Assynt and Eigg community buyouts which led the process of radical change said:

"I know from the time before the land fund was created just what a massive struggle it was for communities to make the breakthrough to own their land.

"The land fund made that task significantly more achievable for many.

"The results are there for all to see, massive progress has been made and it must not be allowed to come to an end.

"The Scottish Government have it within their power to make that happen, I just hope they have the vision and commitment to continuing change to make it so."

Sarah Boyack has written to John Swinney, Finance and Enterprise Secretary urging him to act to ensure a fund continues and that new applications can continue to be made.

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