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
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
Cara Hilton · The Trussell Trust John Dickie · Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland Professor Mary Brennan · University of Edinburgh Business School
27 Feb 2023
View on parliament.uk
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
3 results
Clear
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.
Scotland Office
View details
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).
Scotland Office
View details
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
View details
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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
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
Parliament page
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.
Parliament page