Scots have observed worsening poverty and public services are failing to address social problems, according to a new report.
Research by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) found that 81% of Scots believe poverty has worsened over the past five years, while 68% said communities are struggling because of failing public services.
The CSJ said Scotland’s public services are ‘crumbling’ and are too focussed on reacting to social problems rather than preventing them.
Scots are facing ‘in work poverty’, due to the temporary nature of work and a lack of opportunities to move beyond entry level jobs, and there has been a major increase in the number of children with mental health issues, the think-tank also found.
Liberal democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘These shocking polling figures reflect the reality at the front lines of our communities, where people are struggling to get the public services they are entitled to.
‘It’s often only thanks to those unsung charity heroes and volunteers, working above and beyond, that people are just about holding things together, but it’s not a sustainable solution.
‘We urgently need a new deal for our public services.’
