Vital funding for Scotland’s rural communities is under threat following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (EU), the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has shown.
Some 28% of Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) funding comes directly from the EU. This equates to £364m from 2014 and 2020.
SRDP funding is crucial across a range of programmes, including climate change, rural broadband and supporting agricultural and forestry businesses.
Commenting, Kenneth Gibson said:
“These figures show how important the EU is in supporting rural and island communities across Scotland. Without access to this vital funding, many will lose out.
"Every part of Scotland voted to remain last month and it is essential our place in the EU is maintained so that our communities continue to access all the advantages it brings to Scotland. Of course, it is the UK Tory Government which has put this vital funding needlessly at risk."
The SPICe Briefing is available here.
