Highlands & Islands MSP welcomes increase in Croft House Grant and urges crofters across the Highlands & Islands to apply

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the Scottish Government’s increase in its Croft House Grant and is urging crofters across the Highlands & Islands to apply.

The Scottish Government announced this week that it had increased the grant rate for home improvements within the Croft House Grant from 40% to 60% of the total project cost – with a maximum grant of £38,000 – to ensure that more crofters and their families are able to benefit from the support.

The grants scheme, which was launched in 2007, has supported 1,100 households across Scotland’s rural and island communities to upgrade or build new homes in their crofts.

Commenting, Ms Roddick said:

“I am delighted to see the Croft House Grant increased, offering more support to folk in my region to maximise the potential of their crofts.

“Crofting plays such an important role both culturally and economically across Scotland’s rural and island communities, but it does not come without its challenges and the cost-of-living crisis has taken a heavy toll on so many.

“I’m so glad that the Scottish Government is recognising these challenges and where additional support is needed to ensure that crofting as a way of life can not only survive but thrive in the future.

“This is just another example of how the SNP is standing up for rural and island communities across Scotland, with crofters and farmers already benefiting from receiving advance payment of the Basic Payment Scheme – brought forward by the Scottish Government – to support Scotland’s farmers with cash flow and the cost-of-living crisis.

“I strongly urge those eligible across the Highlands & Islands to read up on how the grant scheme can help them and apply.”

Notes:

•            Farm payment dates to be brought forward – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

•            More information on the Croft House Grant and how to apply can be found here.