1. This is a test case.

To ask the Scottish Government how the measures in its programme for government 2023-24 will support the rural economy in the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency. (S6O-02488)

All the Scotland-wide commitments in our ambitious PFG contribute to our rural economy, but there is a range of commitments within it that relates specifically to rural industries, supporting jobs and businesses in constituencies such as Christine Grahame’s. Those commitments include paying Scottish farmers and crofters £550 million of payments, beginning this month, and investing £1 million in skills development for woodland creation and in nature and peatland restoration.

Businesses and communities in the Midlothian, Tweeddale and Lauderdale area will also benefit from our PFG commitment to support the ambitions of the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region in developing and implementing its regional economic prosperity framework.

Yesterday’s debate highlighted the contribution of our farming sector to our economy. Given that many farmers are not as young as they used to be, what support is being given to encourage young people into the sector?

First of all, I am delighted to update Parliament that, as promised in this year’s programme for government, we have now started making our payments to farmers and crofters, two weeks ahead of schedule. Initial payments worth approximately £288 million are now being paid to more than 13,000 businesses all across Scotland, including in Christine Grahame’s constituency. Unlike in England, we are ensuring stability by maintaining direct payments. In the coming year, we will pay Scottish farmers and crofters £550 million to support actions to produce food.

Christine Grahame also—rightly and importantly—mentioned new entrants to the industry. Another commitment in our programme for government commits us to working with them to develop new support for new entrants.