Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus B MacNeil has spoken to the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy Fergus Ewing MSP regarding concerns about the convergence uplift funding which was announced in the last few days.

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“Clearly there are concerns that the convergence money is not being distributed to where it is most needed.

“The Scottish Government must review and make good the concerns of crofters and meet the original hopes for this funding.

“We know that this money was delayed by Westminster for a number of years and that the current money has to be distributed by March 2020. It would seem that the Scottish Government has rushed to announce this funding in order to meet this deadline.

“Fergus Ewing has assured me that he remains keen to ensure that active crofters and farmers in upland and sheep areas do benefit proportionately from this money and that LFASS will be protected.

“We would see a lot more money in our communities if support for crofting in Scotland was on an equal par with support given to similar activities in other European countries and this convergence money should be a step in the right direction.

“This is certainly a moving situation and I hope that after Fergus Ewing visits Lewis this week, he will take on board the concerns that will no doubt be raised with him and allay the fears of crofters.”

ENDS