Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has welcomed the announcement that more crofters are benefitting from Scottish Government Croft House Grant payments.

Through the scheme, grants totalling over £1 million have been received over the past year by 35 crofters to help improve their homes or build new ones to maximise the full potential of their crofts.

The Scottish Government increased the grant rate in 2023 up to a maximum of £38,000.

Over £200,000 was allocated in the most recent round of grants – with the majority of recipients being based in island communities.

Since the SNP came to power in 2007, almost £25 million has been paid out in grants to help improve over 1,125 croft homes.

Commenting, SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said:

“Crofters are vitally important to the local economy and cultural heritage of Na h-Eileanan an Iar – and this support is crucial in helping to improve crofters’ housing.

“It is very welcome that in the last year alone over £1 million worth of grants have been awarded – taking the total support from the Scottish Government to almost £25 million. 130 crofters in the Western Isles have benefited from the scheme since 2016.

“When the Housing Minister visited the Western Isles last month, he committed to re-examining the eligibility criteria for Croft House Grants to allow even more crofters to benefit from this vital funding.

“The SNP is taking direct action to support rural communities across Scotland, and I would encourage as many Western Isles crofters as possible to apply to this scheme when the next round opens this year.”

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ENDS