Satisfaction at record low on public services
GROWING concerns about the state of Scotland’s schools, hospitals and transport have led to satisfaction with public services slumping to a record low.
The Scottish Government’s annual survey of families across the country has revealed satisfaction has fallen dramatically in recent years.
It led to claims the SNP is failing when it comes to the key issues it controls.
Government ministers were also urged to address the key issues for Scottish families, rather than focusing on breaking up Britain.
The survey of 10,530 people found the proportion saying they are very or fairly satisfied with the quality of public services hit a new low of 51.7 per cent last year.
This was marginally lower than 51.9 per cent in 2017 and has fallen from a high of 66 per cent in 2011, when the SNP won a majority at Holyrood
It is also much lower than 57.1 per cent in 2007, the first year after the SNP came to power and introduced the Scottish Household Survey.
Satisfaction with schools, health services and public transport have all fallen significantly since 2011.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: ‘People are rightly unimpressed by the SNP’s handling of their schools, health and transport services. Satisfaction has nosedived.
‘The goodwill of everyone from teachers to nurses has been relied upon for far too long. The SNP’s priority will always be independence. The claim that education is the First Minister’s priority is in tatters.’
The Scottish Household Survey 2018 showed that 81 per cent of Scots were fairly or very satisfied with local health services, down one percentage point on 2017. It has fallen gradually from a peak of 88 per cent in 2011.
The research shows satisfaction with schools increased by one percentage point to 71 per cent in 2018 – but this is much lower than 85 per cent in 2011.
The biggest decline last year was for public transport, with satisfaction falling by four percentage points to 65 per cent amid growing concerns about rising congestion and the plummeting performance of ScotRail. Satisfaction has declined by 11 percentage points since 2011.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative education secretary, said: ‘It has been obvious for some time that teachers and parents have many concerns about SNP education policy.
‘Under the SNP schools have too few teachers which has resulted in shortages in key subjects and in additional support for learning where staff numbers have dropped by 26 per cent in the last decade.
‘We know too that there is increasing anxiety about the National 4 qualification and subject choice in S4-S6.
‘All of this is restricting the ability of our schools to get the best out of the talents of our young people.’
Scottish Labour transport spokesman Colin Smyth said: ‘It’s no wonder the public are not happy with the public transport they use, it is being mismanaged under the SNP.’
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: ‘Every child should be given the opportunity to realise their full potential so it is great to see parents are satisfied with their early learning and childcare.’
Comment – Page 16
‘Schools have too few teachers’