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Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee

Cost of living: impact on rural communities in Scotland

Status: Closed Opened: 16 Dec 2022 Closed: 25 Apr 2024 4 recommendations 8 conclusions 1 report

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 whether this could be better …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Cost of living: impact on rural communities … HC 153 24 Jan 2024 12 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
5 Conclusion First Report - Cost of living: impact o… Deferred

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
11 Conclusion First Report - Cost of living: impact o… Deferred

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 rural communities mitigating the impact of the current cost of …

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 …
Scotland Office
12 Recommendation First Report - Cost of living: impact o… Deferred

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 Scottish Government should look to coordinate the operators of these …

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 …
Scotland Office

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
11 Sep 2023 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 View ↗
3 Jul 2023 Dr Andy Cope · Sustrans Scotland, Ranald Robertson · HITRANS (Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership), Uisdean Robertson · Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) View ↗
19 Jun 2023 Cara Hilton · The Trussell Trust, John Dickie · Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, Professor Mary Brennan · University of Edinburgh Business School View ↗
27 Feb 2023 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 View ↗

Correspondence

5 letters
DateDirectionTitle
21 Nov 2023 To cttee Letter from Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Refor…
14 Nov 2023 — Correspondence with Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, La…
24 Oct 2023 To cttee Letter from Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform…
17 Oct 2023 To cttee Letter from Amanda Solloway MP, Minister for Energy Consumers & Affordability …
11 Sep 2023 — Correspondence with Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Lan…