Cost of living: impact on rural communities in Scotland

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 16 Dec 2022 Closed: 25 Apr 2024 Parliament page
The Committee has launched an inquiry to explore the impact of rising costs of living on rural populations across Scotland. We'll also be looking at to what extent support packages provided by the UK Government meet the needs of Scotland’s rural communities in relation to the cost of living, and … Read more
4 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
5 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 16 events
18 Apr
2024
Report published
24 Jan
2024
Report published
16 Jan
2024
Formal meeting (private meeting) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
21 Nov
2023
Correspondence
14 Nov
2023
Correspondence
24 Oct
2023
Correspondence
17 Oct
2023
Correspondence
11 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
11 Sep
2023
Correspondence
11 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
3 Jul
2023
Oral evidence
3 Jul
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
11 Sep 2023
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Amanda Solloway · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Ben Pledger · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Gavin James · Department for Transport John Lamont MP · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Kris Krasnowski · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Mr Richard Holden · Department for Transport
3 Jul 2023
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Dr Andy Cope · Sustrans Scotland Ranald Robertson · HITRANS (Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership) Uisdean Robertson · Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council)
19 Jun 2023
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Cara Hilton · The Trussell Trust John Dickie · Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland Professor Mary Brennan · University of Edinburgh Business School
27 Feb 2023
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Chris Birt · Joseph Rowntree Foundation Frazer Scott · Energy Action Scotland Heather Williams · Scottish Women's Budget Group Professor David Bell CBE · Royal Society of Edinburgh Professor Hugo van Woerden · University of the Highlands and Islands Ruth Boyle · Poverty Alliance
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Cost of living: impact on rural communities in Sc… HC 153 24 Jan 2024 12 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
12 results
1 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Scotland's diverse rural communities require tailored cost-of-living interventions reflecting varied local experiences.
The term “rural communities” encompasses a broad gradation of populations across Scotland and this results in a varied experience for people living in rural areas. Successful cost of living interventions need to account for and be tailored towards that variable … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the conclusion, recognising the varied experiences of rural communities and the importance of tailored interventions. It highlights its existing engagement with rural groups and cites the £2 bus fare policy as an example of a successful intervention that benefits rural areas.
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2 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Carry out review of winter 2022/23 cost-of-living support effectiveness for Scottish rural households.
Whilst accepting the UK Government were keen to get support out to assist people as quickly as possible, the UK Government should carry out a review to assess the effectiveness and value for money of cost-of-living support provided by the … Read more
Government Response
The government details the substantial cost-of-living support package provided and its delivery, including specific scheme data and the overall block grant to Scotland. However, it does not commit to carrying out a formal review to assess the effectiveness and value for money of the support, particularly for Scottish rural households, as recommended.
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Blanket energy support failed to 'rural-proof' for Scottish households, disadvantaging off-grid users.
The unprecedented package of financial support delivered to households across Great Britain by the UK Government last winter was welcome and helped to mitigate the full impact of the dramatic energy price increases experienced during the period. However, the Committee … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the Committee's observations regarding the previous winter's energy support not being sufficiently 'rural-proofed'. It explains that schemes prioritised speed over tailoring and highlights existing support for off-grid households through the Alternative Fuel Payment, alongside other cost-of-living measures.
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4 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Rural Scottish households face significant barriers accessing home energy efficiency schemes despite high need.
One way to help reduce energy costs in the long-term is to improve the energy efficiency of homes. The challenge of retrofitting and insulating homes, in terms of cost, time and practicality, are particularly acute for rural areas. Rural Scottish … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the challenges of improving energy efficiency in rural Scottish homes, noting that housing policy is devolved to the Scottish Government. However, it highlights that its UK-wide Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme already includes specific uplifts and provisions for rural, low-income, off-gas grid homes in Scotland.
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5 Conclusion Deferred
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Scottish Government's Energy Efficiency Scheme has underspent ring-fenced funds without clear justification.
The Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency (Area-Based) Scheme uses ring-fenced funds which require approval, but which we heard was causing concern. Witnesses were unable to provide reasons for the Scottish Government’s underspend of this scheme.
Government Response
The response focuses on recommendations relating to the UK Government and does not address recommendations 5 and 6, which remain a matter for the Scottish Government.
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6 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Mandate the Scottish Government to address concerns regarding food insecurity and poverty.
We hope to hear from the Scottish Government on how they will respond and address these concerns. (Paragraph 38) Food insecurity and food poverty
Government Response
The UK Government notes the recommendation and recognises the importance of rural communities, but does not commit to any specific actions or provide a timeline for addressing food insecurity and food poverty concerns itself.
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Severe hardship and increased food bank reliance evident in remote rural Scottish communities.
We are deeply concerned by the real hardship being experienced across many rural communities in Scotland, such as parents having to skip meals in order feed their children. Food banks provide a vital service in remote rural Scotland. There has … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the committee's concern and recognises the importance of rural communities, but provides no specific actions to address the hardship or increased demand for food banks.
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8 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Food insecurity driven by insufficient income, exacerbated by global events and no agreed definition.
Although there is no agreed definition of food insecurity, it is clear that the difficulties people experience in providing sufficient food for their families are the result of a range of issues affecting household budgets—there is no lack of available … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the conclusion by describing its existing and upcoming welfare spending increases, tax cuts, and cost-of-living payments designed to support household incomes. It also outlines its internationally recognised definition of food security.
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9 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Agree consistent definition and measurement of food insecurity, addressing high prices in rural Scotland.
By Spring 2024, the UK and Scottish Governments should agree a consistent means of defining food insecurity and food poverty and show how it plans to measure this in the context of remote rural communities in Scotland. In its response … Read more
Government Response
The government details its existing welfare support and its current internationally recognised definition of food security. However, it does not commit to agreeing a consistent definition with the Scottish Government or setting out specific actions for high food prices in remote rural communities.
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10 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Collaborate to investigate impact of high food prices and food insecurity in remote rural Scotland.
The UK Government should work with the Scottish Government and local authorities jointly to investigate further the impact of high food prices as well as the scale and nature of food insecurity and food poverty on communities in remote rural … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its existing welfare support and its definition of food security, but it does not commit to working jointly with the Scottish Government and local authorities to investigate the impact of high food prices and food insecurity specifically in remote rural Scotland, or to collate data as recommended.
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11 Conclusion Deferred
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Lack of reliable, affordable transport hinders remote rural communities mitigating cost of living crisis.
Ferries are existentially important to island communities, but also create knock-on costs for goods and services. The lack of regular, reliable, affordable and integrated transport provision–including adequate and reliable bus services - is one of the main barriers to remote … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the conclusion, stating that managing and funding transport, including ferries and bus services, are devolved matters for the Scottish Government. It highlights the block grant funding provided to Scotland and mentions existing UK-wide initiatives like the Islands Forum and specific funding for ferry projects (ZEVI, LUF).
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12 Recommendation Deferred
First Report - Cost of living: imp…
Improve rural Scotland transport provision, integrate services, and ensure timely, cost-effective vessel delivery.
Given the continued problems the Scottish Government have faced progressing improvements to vital roads and ferry infrastructure, the Scottish Government should work together with the UK Government and local authorities to improve the provision of transport across rural Scotland. The … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the recommendation but states that transport policy is a devolved matter for the Scottish Government, which receives record funding through the block grant. It will continue to monitor the issue through the Islands Forum and encourage the Scottish Government.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 12 of 4 classified
Accepted 3
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 3
Total 4 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
21 Nov 2023 To committee Letter from Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands at Scottish Government on her reasons for declining to give evidence to the Cost of living: impact on rural communities in Scotland inquiry, dated 25 October 2023
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14 Nov 2023 Correspondence with Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands at Scottish Government on declining an invitation to appear before the Committee in Edinburgh on 4 December, dated 1 and 9 November 2023
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24 Oct 2023 To committee Letter from Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands at the Scottish Government on her non-attendance at the Committee’s session on the Cost of living: impact on rural communities in Scotland on 11 Sept, dated 13 September 2023.
Parliament page
17 Oct 2023 To committee Letter from Amanda Solloway MP, Minister for Energy Consumers & Affordability at Department for Energy Security & Net Zero on follow-up from evidence session on Cost of living: impact on rural communities in Scotland on 11 September, dated 20 September 2023
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11 Sep 2023 Correspondence with Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands at Scottish Government on reason for her not being able to appear before the Committee on 11 September, dated 6 September 2023.
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