The Scottish Affairs Committee warns blanket UK-wide schemes
intended to support households with the rising cost of living
were not sufficiently ‘rural-proofed’ and did not meet the needs
of remote communities in Scotland who face a ‘rural
premium’.
The ‘rural premium’ refers to the higher prices that communities
in remote rural areas pay, relative to urban areas, to access the
same goods and services. The report highlighted three key areas -
energy, food security and transport – and finds that rising costs
in each sector disproportionately affects rural communities in
Scotland.
Examples cited by the Committee include exposure to fuel price
inflation due to being more reliant on transport, a reliance on
expensive alternative fuels for off-grid households and higher
charges for food deliveries to remote locations.
In a new report published today, MPs on the Westminster-based
Scottish Affairs Committee acknowledge the unprecedented package
of support provided by the UK Government which has helped to
mitigate the impact of price spikes.
The Committee concludes that some schemes, however, had
prioritised administrative ease to accelerate funds getting to
people rather than specifically targeting financial support for
those who need it most. MPs on the Committee found that financial
support tailored towards remote communities experiencing the
‘rural premium’ would have more effectively alleviated the acute
and unique pressures those households face.
Evidence submitted to the Committee as part of the inquiry showed
that prior to the sharp increase in fuel prices, the highest
rates of fuel poverty in Scotland could be found in the most
rural regions – Na h-Eileanan Siar (40%), Highland (33%), Argyll
and Bute (32%), Moray (32%), Shetland Islands (31%) and Orkney
Islands (31%). The Scottish Government has estimated that 57% of
households in rural areas would be in fuel poverty by April
2023.
The Committee heard that food insecurity had led to a ‘cost of
surviving crisis’ for some in particularly remote areas, while
delayed plans to improve ferry and road infrastructure has
further exacerbated difficulties for rural communities.
MPs are calling for the Scottish and UK Governments to work
together in order to better understand the scale and complexities
of the challenges facing rural communities in Scotland. Agreeing
consistent definitions of food poverty and more effective
collaboration to overcome transport infrastructure challenges
would be welcome steps forward in tackling this issue, the
Committee says.
Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, MP, said:
“During the cost-of-living crisis, people living in remote parts
of Scotland have found themselves in a perfect storm of
poorly-insulated, high energy usage homes with an extended
journey to local amenities and food shopping bills off the
charts.
“Schemes implemented by both the UK and Scottish Governments have
been welcome in large parts of Scotland, but the reality is these
households have been lumbered with a ‘rural premium’ that hasn’t
been adequately addressed by state support.
“We must learn the lessons from the economic challenges
households have faced over the last few years. I hope both the UK
and Scottish Governments will use this time to properly
understand the support these communities will need to prevent
them falling further into poverty should we face similar problems
in the future.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
· The Scottish Government
defines rural areas as settlements with fewer than 3,000
people.
