Recommendation 31

The Committee welcomes the Scottish Government’s acknowledgement of these issues and its commitment to improving rights realisation in rural areas. Initiatives such as the Fairer Funding pilot, investment in digital infrastructure, and targeted housing and employability schemes are welcome. However, the discrepancy between policy ambition and lived experience remains. Many rural residents continue to face barriers to essential services, including healthcare, childcare, specialist support, legal advice and public transport. The Committee is clear that progress to date has not sufficiently translated into meaningful and measurable improvements “on the ground.”