The 2009 report was published on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. The Index divided Scotland up into more than 6, 000 small geographical areas called 'datazones', which were then ranked using 38 indicators of deprivation across the following categories – income, employment, health, education, geographic access to services, housing, and crime.
Source: Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation: 2009 General Report, Scottish Government (0131 556 8400)
Links: Report | SG press release | SNP press release | New Start report
Date: 2009-Oct
An article examined the role and impact of migrant labour in rural communities in Scotland. Following European Union enlargement in 2004, rural areas had experienced an influx of labour migrants from central and eastern European countries on an unprecedented scale: although this had provided a major challenge for public service provision and 'social integration', it had also addressed local labour market shortages and created opportunities for regeneration.
Source: Philomena de Lima and Sharon Wright, 'Welcoming migrants? Migrant labour in rural Scotland', Social Policy and Society, Volume 8 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Aug
A report examined the existing context for geographically focused community regeneration in Scotland, the impact of previous interventions, and future challenges for area-based regeneration.
Source: Andrew Fyfe, Tackling Multiple Deprivation in Communities: Considering the evidence, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Jun
A report by a committee of MSPs said that local authorities, trade unions, and lawyers needed to hold 'urgent discussions' on how to deal with equal pay in local government. Although an agreement on 'single status' had been reached in 1999, this had still not been implemented across all local authorities. The committee was deeply concerned by the 35,000 unresolved equal pay cases lodged with tribunals.
Source: Equal Pay in Local Government, 12th Report 2009, SP Paper 292, Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jun
Researchers examined whether the experience of poverty was distinctive in rural Scotland, and if so how.
Source: EKOS Ltd, The Experience of Rural Poverty in Scotland: Qualitative research with organisations working with people experiencing poverty in rural areas, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Date: 2009-Mar
An action plan highlighted the potential role of housing organizations in Scotland as catalysts for regenerating deprived communities.
Source: Acton Plan: Community Regeneration, Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland (0131 225 4544)
Links: Action plan | CIH press release
Date: 2009-Mar
The Scottish Government published a plan designed to encourage people to participate in the running of their neighbourhoods.
Source: Community: Scottish Community Empowerment Action Plan, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Plan | SG press release | New Start report
Date: 2009-Mar
A report used data from the Growing Up in Scotland study to explore families' experiences of living in Scotland's neighbourhoods. Areas of higher deprivation suffered from a lack of childcare, and health and leisure facilities. Local health and education services were rated highest by parents, whereas facilities for children and young people were rated lowest.
Source: Paul Bradshaw, Clare Sharp, Catriona Webster and Lynn Jamieson, Growing Up in Scotland: Parenting and the Neighbourhood Context Report, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Date: 2009-Mar
An audit report said that although there was evidence of improving local services in Scotland, councils faced 'significant challenges' from the existing economic climate and financial pressures, and in making partnership working achieve its full potential.
Source: Overview of the Local Authority Audits 2008, Audit Scotland for Accounts Commission and Auditor General (0131 477 1234)
Links: Report | Audit Scotland press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Feb
An article examined the implementation of the government's 'city strategy' initiative in a devolved setting, drawing on the experience of the three Scottish pathfinders – Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow.
Source: Donna-Louise Hurrell and Carol Hayden, 'City strategy in a devolved setting', Local Economy, Volume 24 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Feb
The Scottish Government announced that, in the light of prospective cuts of £1 billion to its budget between 2010 and 2012, and in the absence of parliamentary support, it would not be proceeding with plans to scrap the council tax and introduce local income tax legislation.
Source: Press release 11 February 2009, Scottish Government (0131 556 8400)
Links: SG press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Feb
