A ‘dysfunctional dynamic’ between the UK and Scottish Governments is hampering efforts to tackle poverty, a report has found (Gareth Fuller/PA)
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A “dysfunctional dynamic” between the UK and Scottish Governments and local authorities is hampering schemes to help Scotland’s poorest communities, a charity has said.
A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) found “much better co-ordination” between all tiers of government was needed if initiatives like the flagship Pride of Place Programme (PiPP) are to deliver meaningful change.
PiPP is a UK Government-led regeneration initiative launched in 2025, with the aim of revitalising neighbourhoods, preserving heritage, and empowering local people.
The JRF praised the use of local knowledge and focus on social infrastructure in targeting PiPP funding, but said some 860,000 people in communities facing similar challenges are missing out on support.
The report also described the £480 million the scheme is offering to 24 Scottish neighbourhoods over the next decade as a “drop in the ocean” compared with what is required.
The report said: “The obvious truth is that delivering change will require much more, and much better, co-ordination between the UK Government, the Scottish Government and local authorities.
“The administration of PiPP, and the parallel Local Growth Fund, have been examples of a dysfunctional dynamic between Westminster, Holyrood and local government in this space.
“This dysfunction serves no-one, not least the people living in the communities who need support the most.”
Using the UK Government’s PiPP methodology, JRF identified the 256 “most high-need zones” in Scotland, in which 1.1 million people, or 20% of the population, live.
The charity said that as the scheme only funds neighbourhoods containing more than one of these zones, the current funding will only support 60 of them.
The JRF said this leaves 196 zones that have deprivation and community need scores in the bottom 20%, home to about 860,000 people, without funding.
The research also found stark geographic differences, saying that in every local authority area in Scotland except Aberdeen City, most high-need zones have not received funding.
It added that Dundee has not received any long-term PiPP funding, despite evidence suggesting “many small areas of deprivation” in the city.
Chris Birt, associate director for Scotland at the JRF, said: “Funding programmes like PiPP and its predecessors have promised much for communities in Scotland and across the UK.
“But for them to be successful they must be more comprehensive and better co-ordinated with other similar efforts.
“One in five children in Scotland are in poverty, and radical action is needed if we are to come close to meeting the legally binding target of reducing this to 10% by 2030/31.
“With the right level of funding going to the right places, governments could make a real impact and help give all of Scotland’s children a better future.
“Frankly, people living in Scotland’s poorest communities deserve a more serious effort from the governments that represent them, which will help ensure that every penny of desperately needed extra funding is spent well.
“Devolution is 27 years old.
“It is about time all tiers of government put aside their differences and concentrate on what they agree on: that there are many people in Scotland who could, and should, have better lives and that they all have the power to make that a reality.”
Business minister Tom Arthur said: “The Scottish Government has committed up to £52 million this year to accelerate regeneration.
“Through our regeneration strategy and targeted investment programmes, we are supporting thriving places and regions which are central to Scotland’s long-term economic success.
“Eradicating child poverty is critically important to the Scottish Government and our policies are estimated to keep around 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year.”
The UK Government has been approached for comment.
