Written evidence submitted by the Scottish Women’s Convention (COL0005)
CALL FOR EVIDENCE - Cost of Living: Impact on Rural Communities in Scotland
The Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC):
The SWC is funded to engage with women across Scotland to ensure that their views are represented in policy and decision-making processes. The SWC uses the views of women to respond to a variety of parliamentary, governmental, and organisational consultation papers at Scottish, UK, and international levels.
The SWC gathers information using different methods, including roadshows, thematic conferences, surveys, and both in-person and online roundtable events. This submission presents the views of a range of women, reflecting their opinions, ideas and lived experience. Working together with many other equalities organisations and community groups, we use our broad network to ensure that women from a range of backgrounds are heard and acknowledged. We are continually reviewing innovative ways of engaging with women and developing our trauma-informed and culturally sensitive practice to support vital contributions from as many women as possible.
Rural communities in Scotland face a multitude of difficulties when compared to other parts of the UK. We have endeavoured to speak with women from both the Highlands and Islands and have found consistent struggle, ultimately caused by a lack of financial investment and poor infrastructure. Rural women have explained that increasing centralisation has led to reduced job opportunities and dwindling local economies, pushing more young people to move away to larger towns and cities across the central belt of Scotland. The resulting cause is poverty, with families struggling to manage in the current cost of living crisis. Women have gone on to explain that increasing prices have been particularly evident across local village shops. This has pushed low and middle income families towards food banks and free school meals where available.
Women in rural Scotland have also stated that the cost of living has been worsened by the increasing costs of fuel. Due to the harsh winters experienced in the north of Scotland and frequent power cuts multiple forms of fuel are relied upon, such as: electricity, gas, oil, wood, coal, and in some cases, renewables. Therefore, women have highlighted that some fuel types have not been suitably subsidised by government schemes, furthering hardship.
A further issue which is particularly pertinent, is the poor transport links across the Highlands and Islands. Women have highlighted that public transport is unreliable, and costly, adding to household costs. They have also explained that this has a significant effect on young women from low income households’ ability to access paid employment and training opportunities, as they are less likely to own a personal mode of transport.
Moreover, the unreliability of public transport has a prominent impact on Island communities, with ferries being irregular and flight options being greatly reduced in recent years. This, again, has a knock-on effect on residents’ ability to access training, employment, and education opportunities on the mainland, further worsening poverty. However, there is also an impact on basic necessities, such as food and fuel. Women on the Islands have explained that it is not uncommon for food and fuel deliveries to be cancelled or late because of poor public transport links. This has led to a feeling of isolation and increasing prices across the Islands due to high demand and low stock.
Women in rural Scotland have also stated that they are concerned about the ageing population, which has been brought about by an increase in elderly people retiring to these areas, and young people looking for opportunities elsewhere. They have explained that the poor connectivity and lack of educational prospects has pushed young people into the Central Belt. Rural women explained that this pattern is not new, but due to poor housing provision across rural Scotland, young people are not likely to return as readily as before. Women were particularly concerned about the increase in Airbnb’s and second properties, with homes lying empty for many months, taking away housing options for local people. Furthermore, these issues have combined to prevent new talent to move into rural Scotland, with women explaining that they are aware of young families moving away to receive better services, and new families refusing to move into the Highlands and Islands for the same reason.
Lastly, women in rural Scottish communities have stated that current healthcare provision is insufficient and has been severely worsened by increased centralisation and a lack of adequate infrastructure. Women have cited situations where long rural journeys have been lengthened by poor road surfaces and dangerous driving on the A9. They explained that it is not uncommon for the road to be closed as a result of accidents or bad weather, and that this causes significant delays in essential medical treatment. Women also stated that due to the unreliability and cost of public transport, they are often unable to make medical appointments in larger cities, and that despite some financial aid, it is generally not enough.
Current UK Government cost of living support measures do not adequately support rural families. Women have reported that current benefits are inadequate, with the Universal Basic Income not aligning with the rising cost of living. As discussed above, rural living comes with unique challenges, due to harsh weather and low resource availability. Therefore, it is essential that rural communities receive a customised package of care.
It can be said that Winter Fuel Payments provide some help for older people, however those on low to middle incomes and single parents also require assistance. Moreover, to further aid these struggling households, the Warm Home Discount Scheme should be provided regardless of energy provider.
Also, an additional cost that burdens women in rural areas is a lack of childcare facilities which can prevent them from entering paid employment or alter their work schedules. This has been worsened by an increase in retirement ages, with grandparents being unable to help with childcare as they have in previous decades. We do accept that some childcare costs are provided for those struggling financially, however rural women have highlighted that there is little to no childcare in place across communities, resulting in help with costs becoming meaningless. Therefore, we highly recommend further childcare provision is put in place across the Highland region to properly support mothers to retain employment.
It would be incredibly valuable if the UK Government considered cost of living support which could assist rural communities more with fuel costs. Women have explained that current prices are severely impacting household funds, and with this area of the UK experiencing harsher winters than most, it is vital that they receive tailored support. They have stated that further help should be given to those who have no choice but to use oil and coal. Yet, many have also been aware of the negative environmental impact that these sources have. As a result, they have explained that they therefore would appreciate further investment in renewable, community-owned sources of energy. They also advocated for proper education and training to be given in these communities, to allow local people to maintain this infrastructure.
During our conversations with rural women, they highlighted that due to Brexit some funding, which has been provided by the European Union had been retracted – particularly investment in infrastructure and transport. They stated that it would be valuable if the UK Government attempted to reinstate similar funding, as this could mitigate some of the damage caused by Brexit. An associated issue is the reduction in ERASMUS funding, with less young women having the opportunity to study abroad, with those from low-income households seriously impacted. It is therefore essential that the UK Government reassess the significant implications of Brexit, and how it has, potentially, disproportionately impacted rural communities.
Alongside reinstating EU-type funding, it would be valuable if the UK Government committed to investing more into these communities at large. By enhancing transport and trade networks, these rural areas could regain economic viability, which may help mitigate the impact of centralisation. Women have stated that centralisation has been the key factor in the decline of their towns and villages, leading to poverty and a feeling of helplessness. This has been expressed by women on the Scottish Islands, as well as women living in the Highlands of Scotland – who feel that their needs are seen as lesser.
Throughout our discussions with rural women, it is clear that they feel isolated and ignored by both the UK, and Scottish Governments. They recalled multiple meetings with top-level public servants which led to no satisfactory resolutions, and in some instances, women stated that they felt used by politicians. Women also explained that the constant centralisation had severely worsened this issue, with key decision-makers being removed from local communities. It can therefore be said that the UK and Scottish governments have not effectively collaborated to provide necessary support for rural people in Scotland. To combat this, it is recommended that there is an increase in communication channels between stakeholders and rural residents. This could be facilitated by a lived experience group, with those living in rural communities actively contributing to government policy.
January 2023