‘Lots to reflect on’ including ‘gaps in essential services’ says Maree Todd after human rights report
Far north MSP Maree Todd acknowledged that rural communities are facing “critical challenges” after a report said basic rights to health, housing and food were not being met.
The study by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) showed the frustration of many people in the region over perceived breaches of their human rights.
The report – entitled Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Highlands and Islands, and running to more than 130 pages – showed how mums in Caithness are “terrified” of facing the 100-mile-plus journey to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth.
Political opponents jumped on the damning report, with Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone calling it “a terrifying and shameful disclosure” of the Scottish Government’s “neglect” of the far north.
Rhoda Grant, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said it was a “deeply concerning” read that “further confirms what organisations, charities and individuals have been saying for decades – that basic, core human rights obligations are not being met”.
The commission visited 20 communities and interviewed 146 people. It looked at issues ranging from food affordability and lack of public transport to social care and education, as well as sexual and reproductive health services.
Related articles:
• Human rights report says far north mums are ‘terrified’ about journeys to Inverness
• Report points to ‘poor state of economic, social and cultural rights in Highlands and Islands’
• Human rights body praises 'phenomenal work' in Highlands and Islands
Among its eight recommendations, the report says “policies should be adaptable to the specific needs of remote and rural areas” and calls for “parliamentary scrutiny to ensure laws and policies take into account the needs of the Highlands and Islands”.
Dr Luis F Yanes, project lead and report author, said economic, social and cultural rights were essential for people living a dignified life, free from fear and want.
“Many people in the Highlands and Islands feel unheard, disenfranchised, abandoned and forgotten, with their human rights concerns discarded or minimised,” he said.
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP, Maree Todd, said there was a lot to reflect on in the report, particularly in relation to “gaps in essential services” in the Highlands and Islands.
“It raises important questions about how we can better support communities and improve access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive,” the SNP MSP said.
“Depopulation poses a serious threat to the sustainability of our communities, and as this report clearly shows, it is also having a direct impact on access to vital public services, making it harder for people in rural areas to access the services they rely on for their health, wellbeing, and quality of life.”
She added: “The findings on housing and food insecurity are particularly stark.
“There is no question that Westminster austerity – first imposed by the Tory/Lib Dem coalition and now perpetuated by the UK Labour government – has been a major driver of food poverty.
“While the Scottish Government is taking steps to alleviate the worst effects of austerity, through initiatives like the Best Start Food Payment – which has delivered over £1.8 million in the Highlands since 2019 – research from the Trussell Trust published in September revealed that 48 per cent of people on Universal Credit ran out of food in the previous month.
“Over the past decade, the UK social security system has fallen woefully short, with the real-terms value of payments reaching a 40-year low, just as inflation hit a 40-year high. The UK government must urgently fix the fundamental flaws with Universal Credit that are driving food insecurity.
“On housing, the Scottish Government is committed to delivering a further 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 70 per cent for social rent, 10 per cent of which will be in Scotland’s rural and island communities.
“As this report clearly highlights, it is vital that we not only increase housing availability but also ensure it is affordable and suited to the specific needs of our communities.”
Healthcare campaigners in Caithness and Sutherland hoped the report would lead to urgent action, with the North Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub urging the government to “step up”.
Ms Todd said: “I fully acknowledge the report’s findings regarding access to healthcare, especially in areas such as sexual and reproductive health services. I have written to both NHS Highland and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, to raise this and to discuss the recommendations outlined in the report.
“As ever, I am committed to working alongside the Scottish Government, NHS Highland, Highland Council, and local stakeholders to tackle the critical challenges facing the communities I represent.”
