SCOTLAND’S NOT HAPPY

Survey shows the scale of public discontent

SATISFACTION with public services in Scotland, including schools, has dropped to its lowest level since 2007.

A survey of attitudes charted the rise and fall in rating scores for health, education and transport since the SNP were first elected a decade ago.

In all three areas, satisfaction dropped from a high-water mark when the party were re-elected with a majority in 2011.

Since then, the score for schools fell from 85 per cent to 73 per cent.

For health, it fell five points to 83 per cent, and for transport, it fell four points to 72 per cent.

Overall satisfaction with public services has fallen from a high point of 66 per cent in 2011 to 56 per cent last year.

The Scottish Government defended the record, saying satisfaction “remains high”, but opposition parties said it shows the impact of cuts across services.

Scottish Labour MSP James Kelly said: “These figures are deeply concerning, but sadly unsurprising. The SNP have slashed £1.5billion from spending on local services since 2011.

“Meanwhile, they have created a staffing crisis in our NHS and failed to invest in our schools.”

Tory MSP Donald Cameron said it shows Scots are “fed-up” with standards.

He added: “That’s not the fault of the hard workers in the public sector doing their best under difficult circumstances.

“It’s the fault of an SNP government who have neglected this area of responsibility for the best part of a decade.”

Satisfaction appeared higher for schools and transport among service users. No service-user scores were given for health.

The comprehensive study also showed changes across public life in Scotland. More than nine in 10 adults thought their neighbourhood was a good place to live, but that dropped to just three in 10 in the most deprived areas of the country.

The proportion of households reporting they manage well financially increased from 48 per cent in 2013 to 56 per cent.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Household Survey is an important tool in informing that work.

“We see in the findings that, since 2007, people in Scotland are better off financially, more qualified, more active and more culturally engaged.

“Satisfaction with people who use our public services remains high but we can and must go further. That is why our bold programme for government includes major reforms in education, health and justice, and new opportunities and important measures to safeguard the environment and improve the quality of housing.

“This is supported by a local government finance settlement which includes an extra £160million to support investment in local services as well as a record high health and social care budget.

“Our purpose is clear: We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to bring up children; to grow up and be educated; the best place to live, work, visit, invest and do business; the best place to be cared for in times of sickness, need or vulnerability; and the best place to grow old.”