MSP’srural fundingfears

There are concerns about the impact of Brexit on the rural areas around East Kilbride.

In a report from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) the risk to rural funding was highlighted.

The report showed that 28 per cent of the funding dedicated to the Scottish Rural Development Programme comes directly from the European Union.

This money is used to support the rural economy, agricultural and forestry businesses, and help with targeted action on climate change and rural broadband.

Now, Clydesdale MSP Aileen Campbell, who represents Strathaven, has expressed her concern about the affect the loss of funding could have.

She told the News: “It is vital that Scotland is not dragged out of the EU against our will and these latest figures highlight this.

“Over £360m is being invested into our rural communities directly from the EU over the six year period of the Scottish Rural Development Programme, targeting some of the key issues affecting our rural communities such as broadband access and the impact of climate change.

“Every region of Scotland voted to remain in the EU.

“The Tory government should not be jeopardising this funding for rural communities by dragging Scotland out of the EU and the SNP will continue to do what we can to protect our place in it.”