Recommendation 28

This inquiry has highlighted the significant and often deep‑rooted inequalities experienced by people living in rural and island communities across Scotland. Whilst rural areas contribute enormously to Scotland’s social, cultural and economic life, it is clear that many residents do not currently enjoy the same level of access to services, infrastructure and opportunities that are more readily available elsewhere. The evidence received consistently pointed to a pattern of structural disadvantage spanning transport, digital connectivity, social security, employment, health, housing and access to justice, which undermines the full realisation of economic, social and cultural rights.