Commenting on the study “Social Exclusion in Rural Areas: a literature review and conceptual framework”, which was undertaken by Professor Mark Shucksmith with Lorna Phillip at the Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at the University of Aberdeen, Ross Finnie, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: “This report confirms the widely held perception that social exclusion in rural areas is an important issue. I believe that social exclusion is often seen as a purely urban problem, and for too long rural disadvantage has been viewed from an urban perspective.”
“This report demonstrates that social exclusion is just as much a rural issue and I am delighted that the Scottish research community is taking action to redress the lack of research in this area.
“The report tells us much about the key aspects of social exclusion such as employment and income issues, housing, transport, health, education and service provision. While many parts of rural Scotland are prosperous and desirable places to live, the report highlights particular groups of people and particular parts of rural Scotland that are experiencing a range of problems.
“It is clear that much more work needs to be done to enable us to develop a better understanding of rural social exclusion and to help us target policies accordingly.
“We have already begun to take action. When launching “Rural Scotland: a New Approach” I announced the formation of a group which will pull together what is being done at a Scottish level with the thinking that is developing in individual areas to develop a better understanding of social exclusion in rural areas and how it should be tackled.”
The report is being published today (19 June) by the Scottish Executive.
Mr. Finnie will deliver the keynote address later this month at the International Conference on European Rural Policy at the Crossroads later this month, hosted by The Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at The University of Aberdeen from June 29-July 1, 2000.
The conference will follow up several previous meetings to debate the future of rural policy and the impacts of EU enlargement and the WTO Millennium Round of international trade talks. Over 130 delegates from 25 countries are expected to attend, and there a number of prominent speakers will feature on the programme. The conference is sponsored by the University of Aberdeen, the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise and The Arkleton Trust.
NOTES :
1. The study was undertaken by Prof. Mark Shucksmith with Lorna Philip at the Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at Aberdeen University. The report, Social Exclusion in Rural Areas: a literature review and conceptual framework, is available from The Stationery Office, price £10.
2. The research brings together a range of published information on social exclusion in rural areas. It summarises existing literature and presents statistical evidence from rural Scotland, rural England and rural Britain. In particular, it draws on work commissioned by the then Rural Development Commission On Rural Disadvantage and the research on ‘Disadvantage in Rural Scotland’ funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, amongst others.
3. The key findings of the study are:
Social exclusion is not just an urban problem – it is just as big an issue in rural areas.
Differences between social exclusion in rural and urban contexts arise because of their different social and economic settings, the sparsity of population, as well as remoteness;
In addition to loss of job, marital breakdown and other changes in family composition – the typical triggers of social exclusion in urban areas – people in rural areas are also affected by issues like persistent low pay leading to low pensions, poverty in self-employment, low levels of benefit take-up, and the lack of solidarity and peer support; and
There is considerable diversity within rural parts of Scotland between accessible commuting areas, tourist and retirement areas, industrial rural areas, and areas of population and employment decline.
Further information from:
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.