Tough new rules to make clear who owns Scotland’s land will be brought in by the SNP if it is returned to power after May’s Holyrood election, leader Nicola Sturgeon has pledged.
The First Minister vowed if she is re-elected, one of the first acts of her government would be to consult on setting up a Register of Controlling Interests, which she said would “shine the bright light of transparency on to the issue of who owns Scotland”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The Panama Papers have exposed some of the issues around anonymous ownership of land – however the people of Scotland shouldn’t have to rely on leaked documents to find out who owns Scotland.”
The last SNP government passed new laws on land reform, but the legislation was branded too timid by critics, including some within the party.
Ms Sturgeon, who was visiting a gin distillery in Grantown-on-Spey before campaigning in Inverness city centre, also vowed she would be “a champion for all of Scotland’s communities” if re-elected first minister.
The SNP is pledging to complete improvements to the A9 and A96 roads, invest £25 million in rural housing, and ensure superfast broadband is available to all by the end of the next parliament.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Scotland’s communities have distinct needs – but all deserve the same opportunity to thrive.
“If I am re-elected first minister, my pledge is to champion all of Scotland’s communities. I’ll ensure that rural and Highland Scotland get the chance to flourish.
“We’ll maintain the safeguards against rural school closures and will invest record amounts in Scotland’s NHS, with more local healthcare. We’ll invest £25 million in rural housing, supporting more people to live and work in our rural economies. And our investment will ensure superfast broadband reaches every single home and business premise by 2021.
“We’ll keep rural Scotland moving – we’ll keep ferry fares as low as possible, protect air travel discounts and target resources to improve our road and rail infrastructure, including our plans to press ahead with the dualling of key routes like the A9 and A96.
“And off-grid pensioner households will get their Winter Fuel Payments early, allowing them to buy cheaper fuel for winter earlier in the year.”
On the issue of land reform, she promised action to address concerns over situations where legal entities are used to conceal the individuals who own areas of land.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The people of Scotland have a right to know who owns Scotland’s land. The SNP has been driving forward radical action on land reform and a re-elected SNP government will continue that action in the next parliament.
“One of the first major actions of a newly elected SNP government will be to consult on plans for a new Register of Controlling Interests, which will shine the bright light of transparency on to the issue of who owns Scotland.”
She added: “The new Register of Controlling Interests will expose who owns Scotland. It’s a vital next step on Scotland’s land reform journey and by giving both votes to the SNP voters can ensure strong, radical action on land reform continues.”