Within the Local government finance circular 1/2026: settlement for 2026 to 2027 issued by Scottish Ministers to local authorities, at Paragraph 29 it states;

29. Shootings and deer forests will be however excluded from eligibility for Small Business Bonus Scheme relief from 1 April 2026, except where a) shooting rights are exercised solely for the purposes of deer management, including to prevent damage to woodland or to agricultural production, environmental management or vermin control

As previously highlighted, there was no consultation with rural agencies by Ministers, which has led to widespread confusion and concern.  With our partners in RELM, we are still awaiting definitive answers to the queries we submitted to the Scottish Government.

As you will likely be aware, the Home Office, at the Home Secretary's behest, is due to launch a consultation on firearm licensing, likely in the first half of 2026.

As you will know, the Home Office indicated some time ago that it will be holding a consultation on firearms licensing in light of the Keyham tragedy and the reports subsequently issued by the Coroner, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and a separate report from the Scottish Affairs Committee.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) are carrying out a thematic inspection of the firearms licensing system across police forces in England and Wales.

You will understand that there was significant concern raised within the shooting community about the use of Crimestoppers in Cumbria in respect of legally held firearms and certificate holders. 

We are aware of significant concerns regarding press reporting of an appeal by Crimestoppers in Cumbria regarding lawfully held firearms.  The appeal can be found here. 

Police Scotland has informed us that various sections of their website have been updated to include an online payments portal. 

Updated guidance from DEFRA in relation to avian influenza in England and Wales has been published. 

Deer stalkers in Scotland's low ground areas can now apply for funding to improve their venison processing facilities.

On 5 August 2025, the Home Office published the new statutory guidance for police forces in respect of firearms licensing.  A statutory instrument, The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2025, changing the Form 201 application form, came into force on 5 August 2025 also. In respect of the new statutory guidance, there is more direct guidance on matters…

The hills are alive with talk of heather beetle. In what seems to have been one of the worst summers for this moorland pest in almost ten years, huge areas of heather across Scotland and England have been damaged during the course of June and July.

As you are aware, the future use of lead ammunition in the UK has been under scrutiny by the HSE and the UK REACH Agency for some time.  The HSE published its opinion in December 2024, and a decision was due to be issued in March 2025.

As you will likely know, the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 brought in several provisions in respect of the management of sporting grouse shooting in Scotland.  The first provision, the introduction of grouse moor licensing, commenced last year.

On 19 June 2025, the Home Office published the Accredited official statistics in respect of Firearm and Shotgun certificates in England and Wales, from April 2024 to March 2025.

As you may be aware, for many years, it has been argued that sound moderators should be removed from the certification process. 

You may be aware that it is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK from 12 to 18 May 2025.  It is an opportunity to bring the UK together to focus on getting good mental health.

As we previously circulated, the Scottish Parliament published a consultation at Stage 1 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill. The consultation closes on 9 May 2025.

Part 4 of the Bill deals with deer management. 

The Scottish Parliament has circulated a consultation at Stage 1 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill. 

On Thursday, 13 February 2025, the Home Office published FIREARMS LICENSING, A consultation on recommendations for changes made to the Home Office, in effect its response to the 2023 consultation.  This consultation occurred after the report into the  Keyham murders and the Skye murder and shootings.