NEW POLL: Damning verdict on SNP’s delivery of public services

The SNP government is failing in its delivery of nearly every public service in Scotland, according to the findings of a damning new opinion poll.

The comprehensive poll, involving more than 2,000 people, found that most Scots believe the nationalist administration is performing poorly when it comes to the NHS, housing, crime, rural issues, and a host of other devolved responsibilities.

Only when it comes to running Scotland’s trains are people more positive than negative.

Asked about the most important issues facing the country today, the NHS is by far the highest priority.

But only 39 per cent of Scots think the Scottish Government is performing well when it comes to the health service, compared to 56 per cent who think the opposite.

In the poll, conducted by Survation, just 14 per cent of respondents said independence is one of the most important issues.

And if there was a referendum with the question “should Scotland remain part of the United Kingdom or leave the United Kingdom?”, 60 per cent would choose to remain in the UK.

Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, said:

“This poll confirms there is widespread dissatisfaction with the failing SNP government.

“People don't want to leave the UK, and they don't want the SNP prioritising it when our public services are in such chaos.

“Scotland urgently needs a competent Holyrood government which focuses on day-to-day issues – the devolved responsibilities which are important to our lives every single day.

“We need politicians who will fix the NHS, address the housing crisis, and tackle the problems with crime and policing – not populist grandstanding, nationalists picking fights with the UK Government, or an unwanted constitutional obsession.

“Next year’s election is an opportunity to elect politicians who listen to people’s priorities and work to improve lives across Scotland, rather than nationalists seeking to divide us."

This Survation poll asked how well people think the Scottish Government is performing when it comes to several devolved policy areas.

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) said either ‘not that well’ or ‘not at all well’ in relation to housing, while 64 per cent said the same about local council funding, and the figures for drug harm reduction and social care were 60 per cent.

When it comes to the NHS, 56 per cent responded negatively about the government’s performance and only 39 per cent said ministers are doing well.

Education was more evenly split – 50 per cent said the SNP is not performing well, with 43 per cent stating the opposite.

Only in relation to trains, which are nationalised in Scotland, was there a positive outcome for the government – 48 per cent think ministers are performing well, compared to 41 per cent who disagree.

Asked to choose the most important issues facing Scotland today, 57 per cent chose the NHS, followed by energy bills and immigration, each on 29 per cent.

This poll was conducted by Survation on behalf of Scotland in Union. Scots aged 16+, from September 4 to September 16. Sample size: 2,051.

Summary available here.

Data tables available here.