Crown Estate profits 'back case for Scots control'

Record profits generated from the Crown Estate have reinforced the case for its Scottish assets to be devolved, according to the SNP.

Official figures show the Crown Estate - which includes the seabed around the UK as well as a mixture of land and property - earned a net profit of 230.9 million in the year ending March 31 - a 9.6 per cent increase on the previous year and a record return for the business.

The Scottish Government is pressing for control of the Scottish assets, especially the seabed, to be handed to Holyrood so Scotland can manage renewable energy developments around the coast.

SNP Scotland Office spokesman Angus MacNeil said transferring responsibility would allow Scotland to realise the full economic potential of the country's foreshores and seabed, helping create thousands of additional jobs and support the transition to a low carbon economy.

He said: "The announcement of these record profits reinforces the case for devolution of the Crown Estate so that Scotland can manage its own marine assets for the benefit of our people.

"The Scottish Government has the lead role in exploiting Scotland's considerable potential for renewable energy - including responsibility for economic development as well as both land-based and marine planning. Yet it is the Crown Estate Commissioners who grant leases for offshore projects and there is no obligation on the CEC to work in partnership."