Two-fifths of Scots have lost trust in the Scottish Government’s ability to improve their lives, new research has found.  

A wide-ranging report into people’s wellbeing found that almost 40% of people have lost faith in Scottish Ministers, while a third feel the same about their local councils.  

The report also found there was no improvement in people’s lives between 2023 and 2024 for the average person. 

The report, from Dunfermline-based Carnegie UK, was based on two surveys each of more than 1100 people. 

It found that there were no statistically significant improvement across any of its headline measures for people in Scotland, such as levels of inequality, fuel poverty or the ability to afford an unexpected expense, in common with the rest of the UK. 

Now in its second year, Carnegie’s Life in the UK Index measures the wellbeing of the people of the UK by examining answers to questions across social, environmental, economic, and democratic themes. 

The survey took place around the time Jhon Swinney became First MinisterThe survey took place around the time John Swinney became First Minister (Image: Michael Boyd/PA Wire) On the political front, this year’s polling found widespread distrust in the UK’s political systems and institutions.  

The survey work – conducted in May 2024, at the point that John Swinney was appointed First Minister - found that almost three quarters (77%) of people in Scotland feel that they cannot influence decisions that affect the UK, while about three fifths (63%) disagree that they can influence decisions affecting Scotland.  
 
Three fifths (60%) of the Scottish public in 2024 have low levels of trust in the UK Government, according to the research, while two fifths (37%) have low levels of trust in the Scottish Government and about a third (31%) have low levels of trust in local authorities. 

Professor John Curtice, Professor of Practice Politics at the University of Strathclyde, said: “Across the UK levels of trust and confidence in how we are governed are as low as they have ever been.   

“And although those at Holyrood come out better than those at Westminster, there are still questions to be asked about how successful the devolution project has been in helping to improve people’s sense of involvement in their political process.  

“Our politicians not only have to address the many policy challenges that face the country, but also persuade voters that they have its best interests at heart.” 

Many people said they were struggling to heat their homes Many people said they were struggling to heat their homes (Image: PA) The research identified groups in society with particularly low levels of wellbeing.  

These include people on lower incomes, disabled people and people between the ages of 16 and 34. 

The survey found that a fifth of the Scottish public (19%) feel unsafe in their neighbourhood after dark, three in ten (31%) can’t afford an unexpected expense of £850 and 15% can’t afford to keep their home adequately warm. 

The report makes the case for governments in Edinburgh and London to work together to tackle inequality and boost the collective wellbeing of the people of Scotland.  

With 2024 marking 25 years of devolution in Scotland, the report argues that government in Scotland should deploy initiatives such as citizens’ juries to regain trust in politics.  

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Carnegie UK is a public policy foundation focussed on improving people’s wellbeing. The foundation argues that improving people’s lives should be the overarching aim of government. 

Sarah Davidson, chief executive of Carnegie UK, said: “Our new report paints a picture of Scotland as a place where too many people don’t have their basic needs met and there’s widespread distrust of politics and government.

“While Scotland performs no worse than the rest of the UK, the situation isn’t improving. That’s why we’re urging governments in Edinburgh and London to measure the things that matter to people - like job opportunities and community safety.  

“We then want policymakers to put this information about our wellbeing at the centre of their decisions.” 

Ms Davidson added: “Two years in a row, our research shows high levels of inequality across Scottish society, with worrying numbers of people reporting they can’t afford to heat their home, meet an unexpected expense or feel safe in their neighbourhood. 
 
“In 2024 it is unacceptable that so many live in such precarious circumstances. While these problems won’t be solved overnight, it is the job of government to address them systematically and drive improvement. Scotland used to be a global leader in wellbeing public policy – the Scottish Government needs to regain lost ground.”