by Bill Heaney
Scottish Labour has labelled the SNP’s Land Reform Bill a “missed opportunity” to deliver transformative change to Scotland’s deeply unequal land ownership system.
The legislation will make some improvements to the status quo – for example by ending off-market sales and introducing untested lotting provisions.
Scottish Labour will vote for the bill in order to deliver those changes, but the party has criticised the SNP’s overall lack of ambition.
Over 400 amendments were brought forward during the final stage of voting on the proposed Land Reform (Scotland) Bill in recent weeks, making it the latest Scottish Government bill to have faced significant rewrites in recent years.
Land ownership in Scotland remains unprecedented in its concentration, with 0.025% of the population owning 67% of Scotland’s rural land.
Scottish Labour’s Rural Affairs, Islands and Land Reform spokesperson, Rhoda Grant, right, said: “This was a chance to deliver a landmark piece of legislation and take a clear step towards tackling the inequality in Scotland’s land ownership – but the SNP has squandered that opportunity.
“In its 18 years in power, the SNP has presided over worsening concentration of land ownership.
“We support any improvements to Scotland’s land management, but this weak bill is largely tinkering around the edges. The only significant change is to introduce untested lotting provisions and to take steps to stop off market sales.
“This Bill is yet another example of this SNP tired government’s total lack of ideas and ambition.
“Scottish Labour worked to strengthen this legislation, to empower communities and deliver a fairer, more accountable land management system and will therefore support the Bill, fully recognising that Land Reform remains unfinished business.”