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'Radical' Scottish land reform announced 'Radical' Scottish land reform announced
(35 minutes later)
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced plans to take action against landowners who pose a "barrier" to development.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced plans to take action against landowners who pose a "barrier" to development.
She also said business rate exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates would be scrapped as part of a series of "radical" land reforms.She also said business rate exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates would be scrapped as part of a series of "radical" land reforms.
Ms Sturgeon's comments came as she outlined her government's latest plans.Ms Sturgeon's comments came as she outlined her government's latest plans.
She also set out plans to look again at alternatives to the council tax, which has been frozen in Scotland since 2007.She also set out plans to look again at alternatives to the council tax, which has been frozen in Scotland since 2007.
The government will next week begin consulting on proposals for a new Land Reform Bill.The government will next week begin consulting on proposals for a new Land Reform Bill.
However, Ms Sturgeon said it would include powers for ministers to intervene "where the scale of land ownership or the conduct of a landlord is acting as a barrier to sustainable development".However, Ms Sturgeon said it would include powers for ministers to intervene "where the scale of land ownership or the conduct of a landlord is acting as a barrier to sustainable development".
The first minister added that ending rates exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates, "put in place by the Tories in 1994 to protect the interests of major landowners", would pay for an increase in the fund which supports community land ownership from £3m to £10m a year.The first minister added that ending rates exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates, "put in place by the Tories in 1994 to protect the interests of major landowners", would pay for an increase in the fund which supports community land ownership from £3m to £10m a year.
"Scotland's land must be an asset that benefits the many, not the few," said Ms Sturgeon."Scotland's land must be an asset that benefits the many, not the few," said Ms Sturgeon.
The legislation was part of a series of 12 bills Ms Sturgeon announced to parliament, including;The legislation was part of a series of 12 bills Ms Sturgeon announced to parliament, including;
As well as legislation, Ms Sturgeon said an independent commission to examine "fairer" alternatives to council tax would begin work in early 2015 and report by the autumn.
She also set a target to increase the number of students from poorer backgrounds in higher education, saying at least 20% of university entrants should come from the most deprived 20% of the population.
And the first minister said the Scottish government would consult on creating a specific offence of domestic abuse, as well as the possibility of legislation to tackle "revenge porn", the practice of posting intimate photos of people online without their consent.
Ms Sturgeon said: "These plans aim to build a sense of shared endeavour about how we create a wealthier and more equal society. It is founded on three key priorities - participation, prosperity and fairness."