Trust in Scottish Government at lowest level since devolution began

Trust in the Scottish Government has slumped to its lowest-ever level, new figures show.

The Scottish Social Attitudes survey, which has been running throughout the devolution era, found fewer than half of people have faith in Holyrood ministers.

Just 47 per cent of respondents said they trust the SNP administration to work in the country’s best interests. That compares with a pre-pandemic score of 61 per cent, which was recorded in 2019, and 81 per cent at the onset of devolution in 1999. It is also above the score of 21 per cent recorded for the UK Government.

Fewer than four in 10 (36 per cent) think the Scottish Government is good at listening to people before it makes decisions, which is the lowest rating since 2006, when Jack McConnell’s second government was in its latter stages. For Westminster, the level is 12 per cent.

On the NHS in Scotland, satisfaction has dropped to 22 per cent – a level comparable with that for the rest of the UK and another record low for the study.

Meanwhile, around one quarter of adults (24 per cent) said they were struggling financially, which is roughly in line with the figure for the UK as a whole. Four in 10 (41 per cent) Scots said they were living comfortably, which is higher than the UK figure of 35 per cent.

More than 1,200 people were questioned in late 2024 and Paul Bradshaw, director of the Scottish Centre for Social Research, which carried out the poll, said: “These latest results show a clear decline in trust in the Scottish Government, alongside continued concern about public services and the economy.”

The research found that most people in Scotland identify as Scottish. Three quarters (74 per cent) said that was at least one of their identities, marking a slip from 84 per cent in 1999. Meanwhile, the number of those who say British is at least one of their identities is down to 25 per cent, having dropped from 47 per cent when devolution began.

Support for independence has grown from 27 per cent to 47 per cent over the same period.

Bradshaw said: “While Scots remain strongly attached to their Scottish identity, our data suggest that confidence in political institutions is under pressure, a finding that will be important for policymakers and the public alike.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie MSP said the figures prove “it’s time for a change”, as did Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, who said the survey “shows this tired SNP government has lost the trust of Scottish people and compromised the founding principles of our NHS”.

However, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said she was “pleased to see this survey’s recognition of a long-term increase in support for Scotland becoming an independent country”. She went on: “The fresh start of independence is crucial if we are to raise living standards, grow the economy, and shape a fairer, more prosperous future.

“The data suggests that trust in the Scottish Government is on a level with governments elsewhere but we are determined to do more.  

“Much of this data was collected up to two years ago. Since then the Scottish Government has made considerable progress to deliver on the people of Scotland’s priorities – including abolishing peak rail fares, confirming plans to deliver winter heating support for pensioners and taking action to improve our NHS, including investing record funding of £21.7bn for health and social care this year.”