We are providing a broad range of measures to support local, independent food and drink businesses in rural areas.

That includes £15 million of funding towards the Scotland food and drink recovery plan from 2020 to 2023; £17.5 million over the past two years for businesses across Scotland through the food processing, marketing and co-operation grant scheme; and £500,000 towards the Scottish Grocers Federation’s go local programme, which we know has helped many independent convenience operators in rural areas to transform their stores and to stock more locally sourced produce.