New Coastal Communities Fund result of Scottish Government pressur

Following widespread calls to devolve control of the Crown Estate - led by the Scottish Government - the UK Government has announced plans for a new fund, equivalent to 50 per cent of the revenues taken by the Crown Estate in Scotland from marine developments.

Mr Lochhead said:

"The Scottish Government and many others have been pressing the UK for full devolution of the Crown Estate in Scotland, so that local communities can receive substantial benefits from the offshore renewable energy opportunities being exploited on their doorsteps. This was a key election issue, and has since been endorsed by the Scottish Parliament.

"It is good that the UK Government has finally woken up to these demands - however this measure does not go nearly far enough. Scotland should benefit from 100 per cent of Crown Estate revenues, not 50 per cent. Full devolution of Crown Estate would give the people of Scotland a say in how public assets are used, rather than leaving decisions to the unelected commissioners who manage the Crown Estate.

"In recent months we have provided the Secretary of State for Scotland with two detailed papers setting out the clear and rational case for change. However, despite this, Scottish Ministers were not consulted on these latest, timid proposals. If UK Ministers had had the courtesy to do so they would have been informed that these proposals are clearly inadequate.

"Under these plans Crown Estate revenues would still go south to Her Majesty's Treasury, with Scotland only getting half of our entitlement. However, were the Scottish Government and Parliament to have full control of the Crown Estate, we would go much further by investing revenues directly back in to local communities.

"Contrary to the spirit of self-government, Crown Estate Commissioners grant offshore leases and can even sell off the seabed, all without any requirement to consult the Scottish Parliament. Our progressive plans for the Crown Estate have cross-party support, the support of Scotland's Parliament, and are designed to benefit local communities while helping Scotland meet our challenging green energy goals. Scotland cannot be side-tracked in these aims by this timid measure from Westminster."