Equality must be at heart of public services
The Scottish Human Rights Commission’s annual report shows the scale of inequality in Scotland’s services and the gulf between rhetoric and reality in provision, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.
Commenting on the report, which identified structural barriers for millions of Scots, Maggie said:
“This report makes for devastating reading. It underlines the huge scale of inequality in Scotland and the gulf between rhetoric and reality when it comes to making sure everyone can access the services they need and are entitled to.
“Good quality healthcare, housing and food are basic human rights, but for individuals and communities across Scotland these are increasingly out of reach.
“Equality isn’t just a nice-to-have: it must be at the heart of our public services and the way they are designed and delivered.
“That means ensuring that our social security system offers proper support that matches people’s needs. Disabled people, older people, carers and others must not be left behind by inadequate payments or increasingly digital and distant care systems.
“This report points to the chasm that often exists between urban and rural services. Too many people in rural areas are forced to make long journeys to access healthcare and services that people in cities often have on their doorstep.
“The question we must ask about every reform and every change: is what it will mean for people in rural communities and those with the biggest barriers to access.”
Maggie added:
“The problem facing Scotland and the UK isn’t a lack of money. We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but that wealth is hoarded by just a few people.
“There is no doubt that things have been made far worse by cruel, incompetent Westminster governments who have inflicted pain and misery on far too many people while rewarding their cronies and donors.
“But Westminster’s failures only make it more urgent that we do things differently here. We must use the powers we have in Scotland to make a positive difference.
"We have to use our full tax raising, income generating and wealth redistribution powers to fund the services we need. We must listen to people with lived experience and include them in the design of those services. And we must apply a human rights based approach in our decision-making. Only then will we be able to tackle inequality and lift people out of poverty.”