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Social Focus on Urban Rural Scotland 2003
Introduction
This Social Focus publication is the third in a series of social statistics publications and explores the relationships between people living in urban, rural and remote areas of Scotland. The publication highlights, where data is available, the similarities and differences between people living in these areas across a number of social issues including demographic, education, health, transport, and the labour market. It is not exhaustive and does not attempt to provide commentary and analysis of the causes and solutions to the differences illustrated. It is hoped that this publication will add to the growing evidential base and research on urban, rural, and remote Scotland.
Over recent years there has been an increased interest in monitoring the effect of policies on urban and rural Scotland. Rural affairs is a cross cutting issue and policy areas across the Scottish Executive have policies targeted at rural areas and communities. For example, it is recognised that poverty and social exclusion are issues for both urban and rural communities. The Rural Poverty and Inclusion Working Group (RPIWG), established by Ministers in the summer of 2000, published its report, 'Poverty and Social Exclusion in Rural Scotland' in October 2001. This report made recommendations aimed at improving understanding of rural social exclusion in Scotland, including ensuring that existing indicators are appropriately developed for and measurable in rural areas, as well as recommending ways of promoting social inclusion in rural areas.
Urban rural definitions
Arriving at a definition of urban and rural to meet everyone's needs is not easy. The Scottish Executive core definition of rurality classifies settlements of 3,000 or less people to be rural. The General Register Office for Scotland creates settlements. In essence, settlements are created by amalgamating densely populated neighbouring postcode units.
Accessibility and remoteness to other settlements and services is also an important factor to take into account and the Scottish Household Survey classification expands on the core classification by considering the 'drivetimes' between smaller settlements and rural areas and larger settlements. These two definitions are adopted within the publication.
Advancements in statistics for urban and rural areas
The Executive is making a number of advancements in the development of better urban and rural statistics, these include:
- The Neighbourhood Statistics initiative will increase significantly the range of social statistics available for small areas throughout Scotland. During 2003, Neighbourhood Statistics will provide statistics at the ward and postcode sector level across a number of policy areas including income, health, education, labour market and accessibility. By spring 2004, it is planned that statistics will be further disaggregated to areas of between 500 and 1,000 people.
- Education data will be prominent in the new information becoming available through the Neighbourhood Statistics initiative. Detailed data collected via ScotXED will be an important contributor to this.
- Where the data allows, the Social Justice Annual Report includes urban, rural and remote analysis on progress on Scottish Executive milestones. Social Justice is the equal and fair distribution of social values such as freedom, income and wealth and the opportunity to take part in society. It is about closing the opportunity gap and ensuring that support reaches those who need it most. The outcome indicators for A Smart Successful Scotland, the strategy framework for the Enterprise Networks, are also being disaggregated on an rural-urban basis.
- The Scottish Household Survey provides information on urban, rural and remote Scotland. A special bulletin in June 2001 provided a number of tables and charts setting out some of the differences and similarities between adults and households living in different geographical areas and area types
- Results from the 2001 Census will provide a wide range of information about Scotland's people for small areas called Output Areas. Output Areas contain on average some 50 to 55 households. In addition, the Multi Source Topic Reports that are being taken forward by the Office for National Statistics may include a rural analysis based on the Census.
This publication is intended as an introduction and some users may want to access more detailed data. Contact details for the chapter authors and key data providers have been provided at the end of each chapter, along with a reference section containing useful websites and publications.
We hope that you find this an informative, useful and interesting publication.
Douglas Greig
Head of Land Use and Rural Policy
Andrew Moxey
Senior Rural Economist
Rob Wishart
Chief Statistician
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