Highlands Green MSP call for UK and Scottish Government to prioritise rural communities
Highlands Green MSP Ariane Burgess believes the rural affairs brief is more vital than commonly understood.
“The Scottish Greens fully understand how vital rural affairs is to our nation,” she said.
“Not only is this area at the forefront of Scotland’s battle against the climate and nature crises, but it also contributes billions to our economy through agriculture, tourism, forestry, fisheries and onshore wind power.
“And yet, at the same time, rural communities across the nation face acute challenges which put this significant contribution at risk.
“Surging housing and transportation costs, as well as the highest rates of fuel poverty in Scotland, are coinciding with deep cuts to rural public services.
“These issues are conspiring to force people to move elsewhere. This poses a major threat to the key benefits our rural areas offer the nation.
“It all means we need to urgently reframe the importance of rural affairs in government, media and society.
“It must be viewed as an area of vital significance for Scotland’s people and its environment - not a ministerial career stepping stone or societal backwater.
“Having worked closely with Mairi Gougeon on the Agriculture and Rural Communities Act, I have been tremendously impressed at her thoroughness and diligence when it comes to what is a complex brief.
“As good as she has been, we need to see her take bold and decisive action between now and the 2026 election.
“We want the Scottish Government to ensure that the rural sector has the clarity and support it needs to adapt to climate change through nature restoration and regenerative food production.
“We also acknowledge that not everything is in the Scottish Government’s gift.
“The UK government plays an outsized role in our rural affairs, whilst also expecting Scotland to deliver the UK's climate commitments in a timely manner.
“If it really wants us to achieve that aim, Rachel Reeves must increase Scotland’s block grant and give us multi-year funding certainty in her upcoming Budget.
“This would allow our devolved administration to support Scotland's rural and island communities to fully respond to our need for food production, as well as tackling climate change and restoring nature.”
