Wishart highlights impact of budget on rural economies
Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for rural affairs, Beatrice Wishart has criticised the UK Government’s budget and highlighted the impact of the proposals on Scotland’s rural economies.
Last week Wishart highlighted the impact of plans to change inheritance tax rules for farmers and calling for a continuation of ring-fenced agriculture funds.
Speaking on Tuesday (19th November) in a Scottish Government debate on the future of Scotland’s rural economies after the Labour budget announcement’s Ms Wishart said:
"The UK Government Budget has achieved a unity across all these rural communities with the impact that proposed changes to farm inheritance tax rules could have on the succession planning of family-run farms.
"During a similar debate last week I highlighted how crofters, farmers and growers have serious concerns about the loss of ring-fenced agriculture funds as well as the implications of tax changes in the Autumn Budget on family farms.
"The tax changes are driven by spreadsheets in the Treasury pouncing on the capital rich figures and ignoring the cash poor experience of many in the sector.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
You can watch Ms Wishart’s full contribution here.
Ms Wishart’s contribution to last week’s Conservative debate on inheritance tax changes can be seen here.