RUTH Davidson will today say that an independent inquiry should be launched into a crisis-hit IT system to administer farmers' subsidy payments which has left thousands out of pocket.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments system, which had to set up by the Scottish Government following changes to EU rules, has been hit with delays, controversy and cost overruns.
The Scottish Conservatives, who have repeatedly raised an issue that is likely to play well in the party's rural heartlands, said a third of farmers were still waiting for cash they had been told to expect in December.
Ms Davidson, the party leader, is expected to include the pledge for a probe in a 'Standing up for Rural Scotland' document, which will form part of the Scottish Tories' wider Holyrood manifesto.
She said: "Our producers deserve better than SNP mismanagement. That's why it's essential the SNP's CAP payments fiasco is properly investigated. This is not just a case of finger pointing - it's about looking ahead to ensure these mistakes are not repeated.
"We need to identify what went wrong, fix the system and make sure it works in the future. Farmers need to plan ahead, but they can't do that properly if they have no idea when - or how much - money is coming in."
Meanwhile, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie is to call for an overhaul in the way mental illness is treated in Scotland. The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP is due to meet 'therapy animals' that are trained to help people with mental health issues and other conditions this morning.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Rennie said: "We need to see a step change in the way that mental health is treated in Scotland. I have been contacted by constituents with family members who have been forced to wait more than a year for treatment. This is just not good enough.
"Mental ill health puts huge strain on individuals and families. These people deserve our support. Doctors and nurses working in our NHS are doing fantastic work but they are not getting the help they need from the government. That needs to change. Liberal Democrats will ensure that improving mental health services is a priority for our NHS."
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