MATHER WELCOMES CROFTERS' INTEREST RATE REDUCTION

Jim Mather Argyll & Bute MSP, has welcomed the Scottish Government
announcement that hundreds of crofters will have their interest
payments on house loans halved. The option of moving from a fixed
interest rate, as high as seven per cent, to a new variable rate of
three point five per cent will ease the financial burden on as many as
1,700 crofters.

Jim Mather said:

"I join with my colleague, Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham,
MSP, in emphasising that this Government is doing all in its power to
take action to stimulate growth and ease the burden faced by business
and ensure our economy is well-positioned for recovery.

Reducing interest rates; hundreds of crofters will have their interest
payments on house loans halved, while the current economic situation
is difficult for all, geographical remoteness can increase overheads,
making this assistance especially welcome.

Together with other measures such as encouraging the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency to waive fees charged to business,
farming, fishing, forestry and food industries has helped sustain the
rural economy and our rural communities resulting in the cautious
optimism which is beginning to emerge throughout Scotland."