Survey reveals rural Scots feel their needs are overlooked by politicians
Access to healthcare, transport, and housing are top concerns in Scotland’s countryside.
Nearly three-quarters of people living in rural areas in Scotland believe that politicians do not understand their needs, according to a major new report.
The Scotland’s Rural Voice survey found the most pressing issues for rural Scots are access to healthcare (45 per cent), public transport (35 per cent), and housing availability (30 per cent).
The findings, based on more than 3,000 responses, are being launched today (Tuesday, 9th December) at Craigies Farm near South Queensferry.
The research was commissioned by Salmon Scotland, NFU Scotland, and Homes for Scotland.
Key survey findings
While the survey revealed that rural Scots are generally more satisfied with their quality of life compared to those in urban areas, it highlighted significant concerns about their representation and access to services.
Most rural respondents (73 per cent) feel decision-makers fail to understand their communities, with this figure rising to 79 per cent in remote rural areas.
Additionally, 63 per cent said rural communities lack a meaningful voice in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.
Nearly 9 in 10 (89 per cent) of rural Scots expressed support for greater power being devolved to the countryside, particularly around local services and development.
Concerns over funding and depopulation
The survey also highlighted frustrations over a lack of investment in rural infrastructure, with 80 per cent of respondents pointing to poor funding for public services such as housing, roads, and public transport.
Other concerns included limited local job opportunities, cited as the main reason for depopulation at 62 per cent, followed by inadequate housing (45 per cent) and poor transport links (44 per cent).
One in five rural respondents said they are likely to move to an urban area, a figure that rises to 36 per cent for those aged 16 to 34.
Calls for change ahead of vital decisions
The findings come ahead of next month’s Scottish Government budget and the Holyrood election next year.
Rural organisations have described the report as a “call to action.”
Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, said:
“Scotland’s rural towns, villages and coastal communities should be thriving places where people want to raise their families supported by well-paid, highly skilled jobs.
“But this survey shows the reality of public services in many places, with poor access to healthcare, housing and transport contributing to rural depopulation.”
Robert Neill, Vice-President of NFU Scotland, added:
“This report reinforces what we hear every day from our members: rural communities are proud, resilient and full of potential, but too often face barriers that limit their ability to thrive.”
Fionna Kell, Director of Policy at Homes for Scotland, emphasised the need for urgent housing investment, saying:
“Building more new, high-quality, energy-efficient homes for rural communities has never been more urgent if Scotland is to reverse depopulation and improve the social and economic wellbeing of every part of the country.”
The full Scotland’s Rural Voice report is being launched alongside the event at Craigies Farm today, with further details available on request.
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