Scottish household survey 2017: key findings

Local Services

Satisfaction with local services

In 2017, 52 % of adults were satisfied with three public services: local health services, schools and public transport.

Satisfaction with local services has fallen in recent years

Satisfaction with local services over time

Satisfaction with the three public services was at its lowest level since first measured in 2007, and down from a peak of 66% in 2011.

Adults living in urban areas were more satisfied with the quality of the three public services than those in small towns and rural areas – mainly due to greater satisfaction with public transport.

Satisfaction with local services by service users (whole adult population and services users only)

Satisfaction with the three public services among service users is generally higher than that of the whole adult population, and is more stable over time.

Influence over local decision making

In 2017, just under a quarter of adults (23%) agreed that they can influence decisions affecting their local area, an increase from 20% in 2007.

In 2017, a third (33%) of adults said they would like to be more involved in the decisions their council makes, a decrease from 38% in 2007.

In 2017 just under a quarter of adults agreed that they can influence local decision-making.

Percentage of adults agreeing with the following statements on local authority performance

Generally, older adults were more likely than younger adults to say they were satisfied with local government performance and less likely to want to be more involved in making decisions.