Agriculture

It said the decision was a reflection of the 'reality' of the livestock industry right now with 'reducing stock numbers nationally' and the 'increasing financial pressures on the agricultural industry'

"Scottish farmers and crofters deserved a Budget that recognised their indispensable role in Scotland’s rural and national prosperity"

Results from the Groceries Code Adjudicator's 2024 annual survey showed an 'improvement in treatment of suppliers'

"Though Mr Pearson was offered the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction, he chose to ignore that, leading to this hearing"

A rumoured move in funding towards the Barnett formula would mean a UK Treasury model ‘calculates the amount of block grant each of the devolved nations should receive based on populations'

"I wonder what people who are struggling to feed their families think when they hear the Conservatives crying foul over policies which protect people (farmers) from paying tax on assets worth up to £3 million in certain areas"

"For generations, farming families have served to grow food for us all. They are a service to their country and they are custodians of the countryside"

First Minister John Swinney said his Government would return the £46 million taken away from the agriculture Budget in previous years but could not guarantee a commitment to longer-term funding due to only having 'information' for one financial year

"I know this is already having a chilling effect on farming and rural businesses"