ACCESS to healthcare, improving infrastructure and supporting employment opportunities are the priorities for those living in rural Scotland.
The research was commissioned by rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE).
And the Scottish Government’s focus on land reform was ranked as the least important policy area by respondents.
When asked which policies should be prioritised for rural Scotland over the next five years, respondents identified the following top concerns:
48% said improving access to healthcare should be a priority
43% prioritised the need for better infrastructure, including roads, transport and broadband
41% called for more focus on creating long-term employment opportunities
36% supported the development of affordable housing to sustain rural communitiesWhen considering priorities at a national level, 98% viewed the NHS and healthcare as an important issue, with economic growth (93%) and education (92%) also ranking highly in terms of importance.
SLE chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing, above, said: “This research confirms what we’ve heard time and again from rural communities – people care deeply about jobs, homes, education and health services.
“It’s clear that a disproportionate amount of time is spent debating policies that the public doesn’t see as relevant to their lives. When people are asked about what matters for rural areas, they talk about GPs, schools, housing, broadband and roads. They want support for the rural businesses already delivering across these areas, not more costly bureaucracy that risks holding back progress.”
