‘Targeted action needed’ to ensure rural access to rights

A shortage of affordable housing and adequate infrastructure, combined with a higher than average cost of living, were also found to pose significant challenges to the sustainability of rural communities.

The committee’s report calls for targeted action to be taken to ensure that these communities are able to fully access their rights. The committee wants to see the Scottish government recognise the distinct needs of different rural areas, consider rural populations throughout all stages of policymaking, and factor the findings of the report into a future Scottish Human Rights Bill.

While the Scottish government acknowledged the issues raised during the committee’s inquiry and highlighted the work it is doing, the committee’s report says that this has yet to translate into sufficient improvements in the lives of people living in rural areas.

The report backs calls for the government to carry out multi-year engagement with, and investment in, community-led organisations. The potential of these organisations, who are often best placed to understand local need and design effective solutions, appears to the committee not to be currently being used to its full potential.

The report also highlights concerns over rural housing shortages. The shortage undermines workforce recruitment, drives depopulation and restricts the ability of young people to remain in their communities. It calls on the government to provide an update on what it is doing to improve the situation.

The committee also heard about barriers to health that were created by distance and travel costs. In its report it calls for urgent action to be taken to address the centralisation of essential health services, such as those relating to maternity in regions such as the Highlands.

Karen Adam MSP, committee convener, said: “Rural communities deserve equitable access to services, opportunities and rights and often face greater financial challenges than urban areas of Scotland.

“During this inquiry rural people clearly told us that they cannot access essential services, including healthcare, childcare, specialist support, legal advice and public transport.

“We want to see the Scottish government build on its work to date by undertaking targeted action to deliver better access to services and combat the rural premium.”