Area comes out on top
East Renfrewshire has some of the most affluent communities in Scotland, new statistics show.
The latest Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation shows part of Netherlee is in the country’s top 10 least deprived areas.
Giffnock, which was the least deprived area in the 2016 statistics, has lost the position to Stockbridge, in Edinburgh.
The index splits Scotland into 6,976 small areas, called data zones, with roughly equal populations.
Parts of Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall have the highest rank of East Renfrewshire data zones for deprivation, coming in at 212, 544 and 628. They are followed by part of Auchenback at 1,135.
In comparison, the part of Netherlee in the top ten least deprived areas is ranked 6,967. Part of Whitecraigs and Broom is ranked at 6,961, with two areas of Clarkston and Sheddens at 6,958 and 6,955.
The index looks at indicators to measure deprivation in each data zone, like pupil attainment, travel time to a GP, crime and unemployment.
“Not all people experiencing deprivation live in deprived areas,”the research stated.“About two out of three people on low-income do not live in deprived areas.”
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:“The Scottish Government is supporting our most disadvantaged and poorest communities through a variety of ways.”
She insisted more than £1.4billion had been invested in helping low-income households in 2018-19, with ministers also set to bring in the new £10 a week Scottish Child Payment for poorer families from the end of this year.
Ms Campbell added:“We are tackling the underlying causes of poverty, including driving fairer wages and improving our physical and social environments.
“Over this parliamentary term ,we are investing over £3.3bn to deliver 50,000 more affordable homes, including 35,000 for social rent.
“We are protecting the most vulnerable by providing free school meals, prescriptions, concessionary travel and free personal care and nearly doubling free childcare hours.
“This approach is backed up with decisive action in health to address alcohol consumption, reduce smoking rates, encourage active living and healthy eating.”
She revealed that employment levels remain high in Scotland while the unemployment rate is low, by historical standards.
She said:“Our investments in employability services, including Fair Start Scotland, is supporting those furthest from our labour market into work.
“We will continue to work in partnership with local government, the third sector and communities themselves to do all we can to tackle the causes of inequality and support the regeneration of our towns and cities.”
The most deprived area in Scotland is in Greenock town centre, a change from 2016 and 2012 when Ferguslie Park, Paisley, was ranked the worst.