News

Rural businesses resilient and flexible but still urgently require Brexit certainty

Press Release

Following last night’s vote in the House of Commons and ongoing debates about the way forward for Brexit, Scottish Land & Estates has set out its key concerns for land-based businesses in Scotland. Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director, said: “Whilst the call to avoid a No Deal Brexit is widely accepted, we must acknowledge that every...

Answers required on future of upland farming support

Press Release

Farmers in Scotland’s most fragile rural areas need clarity on how hill and upland livestock production is going to be supported in future, Scottish Land & Estates said today. Following today’s statement by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing on future rural policy, SLE said that it was essential that the Scottish Government and the...

New Website User Guide launched

General News

To help you get to grips with our new website, we have produced a 'How To' guide to take you through the various functions and features of our new website, helping you make the most of the services we offer. Among the new features on our revamped website is a brand-new, members-only dashboard called 'MySLE', where SLE members can set...

Media Statement in response to Wildlife Crime Report 2017

Press Release

In response to the publication today (December 21) by the Scottish Government of the Wildlife Crime in Scotland Report 2017, Scottish Land & Estates issued the following statement. David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Today’s report once again shows a welcome decline in all types of wildlife crime. “The report has...

Agricultural Minimum Wage Changes

General News

The single minimum level of pay and terms for agricultural workers proposed is that from 1 April 2019: • A single minimum hourly rate for all agricultural workers, irrespective of age and duties, that is equal to the UK Government’s National Living Wage of £8.21 • An increase of 30p in the hourly rate to £5.30 for workers who undertake an...

Proposed Borders National Park – Members’ Meeting in January

General News

In response to the Scottish Borders Council consulting on a proposed Borders National Park, SLE is offering members the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and to hear from a panel of speakers, the benefits and challenges a National Park could provide to the region. The members’ meeting will be held in the evening in January with...

Statement on RSPB call for grouse moor licensing regime

Press Release

In response to publication today (December 14) of a report by RSPB calling for the introduction of licensing of grouse moors, Scottish Land & Estates issued the following statement. David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The Scottish Wildlife Crime Report published annually by the Scottish Government has reported a...

Response to Scottish Land Commission report

Press Release

In response to the Scottish Land Commission’s final report on a potential land value tax in Scotland, Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director, Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We’ll need to reflect on the details before commenting further but we can say that taxation must be considered in the round, rather than looking at just one idea in...

Positive vision for Scottish forestry would benefit from enhanced land use strategy

Press Release

A bright future for Scottish forestry lies ahead if an integrated land use strategy which underpins forestry, farming and other sectors can be realised. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) made the comments in its response to the consultation on Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019-29 which was undertaken by the Scottish Government . The...

SLE supports call to scrap new rates levy on out of town business

General News

We have joined twenty of the country’s leading business organisations in a joint letter to Scottish Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay MSP, urging him to scrap the proposed new business rates levy on out of town premises. The organisations represent a wide cross section of Scottish industry including manufacturing, retail, energy, commercial...