Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) – Update

Good news for crofters! The CAGS scheme, which helps support and improve crofting businesses, is getting an upgrade to make it easier and quicker to apply for funding.

To make the scheme more accessible and efficient, several changes are being introduced this year.

Simplified Application Process For Selected Items

For a number of items, applicants will no longer be required to submit quotes. This streamlines the application process, reduces administrative burden, and allows for faster processing by SGRPID.

The following items are now covered by standard costs:

 

Item	Standard Cost
Agricultural steel frame buildings	£247.65 per m²
Hardstandings and access tracks	£37.93 per m²
Stock fence	£10.46 per metre
Deer fence	£16.67 per metre
Stock gate (under 3m)	£102.50
Stock gate (3m and over)	£153.75
Deer gate	£226.53

 

The rate for Agricultural Steel Framed buildings applies to four sided buildings only. Other building designs should be applied for under actual cost. For all other works, the existing requirements remain: two quotes must be provided for works under £10,000, and three quotes for works over that threshold.

Updated Conditions for Grant-Aided Assets

Items funded through the scheme must remain in use for the purpose for which the grant was awarded. The revised contractual periods are as follows:

• Agricultural buildings: Must remain in use for 10 years from the date of final grant payment.
• All other items: Must remain in use for 5 years from the date of final grant payment.

If assets are sold or no longer used for agricultural purposes during these periods, repayment of the grant may be required. In some cases, proportional recovery may be considered, depending on the circumstances.

Real Living Wage Requirement

In line with Scottish Government policy, businesses receiving a grant under CAGS will be required to confirm, when accepting their Offer of Grant letter, that all employees aged 16 and over, including apprentices, are paid at least the real Living Wage and any sub-contractors engaged in the grant-aided work also pay their employees the real Living Wage.

Further Enhancements Under Consideration

Additional updates to the scheme are currently being explored, including changes to the list of eligible items.