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Hint of increase to croft house grants      23/10/14

 

Crofting Minister Richard Lochhead has suggested there will be a rise in the Croft House Grant Scheme (CHGS).

 

The grant which helps build a home for crofters never increased with inflation and has been pegged at the same levelsince the initiative was reformed in 2006.

 

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands Conservative MSP raised the issue with crofting minister Richard Lochhead.

 

Mr McGrigor said Mr Lochhead pledged to do his best to secure a reasonable increase.

 

Mr Lochead replied the Scottish Government shortly intends to issue proposals on the future of the scheme.

 

The minister said he “would be surprised” if the research presently being carried out indicated that the grant rates should not be subject to an increase.”

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Mr McGrigor, said: “Crofters believe that the CHGS is a cost-efficient way of the government supporting housing in remote and rural areas but are very disappointed that the grant levels have not kept pace with inflation.

 

“ I hope that the Scottish Government will be able to consult on its new proposals for the scheme without much further delay so that we can get the new scheme, with updated support levels, up and running as quickly as possible in the interests of our crofters and remote, rural and island communities.”