POLITICIANS DON’T UNDERSTAND THE COUNTRYSIDE, SAY RURAL RESIDENTS

Politicians don’t understand the countryside, say rural residents. Nearly three quarters of rural residents believe that politicians do not understand the needs of Scotland’s countryside, a major new report has found.

The three top issues of concern for people in rural areas are health service access (45 per cent), public transport (35 per cent), and housing availability (30 per cent), according to the Scotland’s Rural Voice survey. Rural organisations said the findings should come as a “call to action” ahead of next month’s Scottish Government’s budget, and lead to a greater focus on these issues before the Holyrood election next year.

More than 3,000 Scots were surveyed for the new poll by Diffley Partnership for Salmon Scotland, NFU Scotland, and Homes for Scotland, with the findings being launched today [TUES] at Craigies Farm in South Queensferry.

Researchers found that Scotland’s rural residents are more satisfied with their lives than their urban counterparts, including with their home, the area they live in, their quality of life, and their general health.

More than half (57 per cent) report that they are satisfied with the sense of community and belonging, compared to around a third (36 per cent) of urban respondents. However, most people living in the countryside (73 per cent) feel decision-makers do not understand the needs of their communities, rising to 79 per cent among remote rural respondents. Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) said rural residents do not have a meaningful voice in shaping decisions affecting them, rising to 70 per cent in remote rural areas. People in the Highlands and islands, and the north-east, are more likely than rural residents in many other regions to agree with both statements. Nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) rural residents support greater power being devolved to Scotland’s countryside, including decisions about local services and development.

Mark Diffley, Diffley Partnership founder and director, said:

“This ground-breaking research throws the spotlight on the range of significant challenges facing Scots who live in rural communities across the country. We know that some parts of rural Scotland have declining populations which presents problems for those communities, and we now know the main reasons for depopulation, its impact on rural communities, and how those in rural communities would like to see the issue addressed. The messages from rural Scotland are clear, and decision-makers will be keen to reflect these messages as the Holyrood election approaches.”

The poll also uncovered widespread concerns about funding and public services in rural areas. Four in five (80 per cent) rural residents said there has been a lack of investment in infrastructure, such as housing, roads, and public transport in Scotland’s countryside. Only one in seven (15 per cent) agreed that public services are meeting the needs of rural communities. A lack of local employment opportunities in rural areas is the most cited reason for people moving to urban areas at 62 per cent, followed by a lack of housing at 45 per cent, and poor public transport at 44 per cent. One in five (20 per cent) of rural residents said they are likely to move to an urban area, rising to 36 per cent for those aged 16-34. A quarter of rural respondents with children said they are likely to make the move. Rural Scots want the Scottish Government to commit to a range of policies in their communities, including investing in better broadband (90 per cent), increasing funding for public transport (88 per cent), and expanding housing options (78 per cent).

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. As a Shetlander, I recognise the enjoyment people take from our outstanding natural and marine environment and the sense of local community and belonging. 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, said:

“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. Whether it’s housing, transport, digital connectivity or access to essential services, these issues are central to the wellbeing and sustainability of rural Scotland. At NFU Scotland, we believe that strengthening rural infrastructure, empowering local decision-making, and supporting the businesses that underpin our rural economy must be a national priority. We urge policymakers to treat these findings as a clear call to action.”

Fionna Kell, director of policy at Homes for Scotland, said:

“These are critical insights from rural Scots, which show that nearly half view the lack of available housing a key driver for people moving away from their communities, their work, and their local economies. 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. Urgent action is now needed to support the small and medium home builders, whose numbers have fallen 70 per cent since 2007 and are so critical to employing and training people across rural communities and delivering much-needed rural homes.”

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