Majority think the Scottish Government performing poorly in key services – poll

A majority of Scots think the Scottish Government is performing poorly across most public services, an opinion poll suggests.

The Survation poll for the pro-union think tank Scotland in Union found at least 50% believe the Government is performing “not well” across a range of issues.

On education, some 50% said the Government is doing “not well” against 43% who said it is doing “well”.

On the NHS, 56% said the performance is “not well” against 39% who thought the opposite.

Asked about the economy and jobs, 58% said the Government is doing “not well” against 35% who said it is doing “well”.

The Government only recorded a net positive score when it came to trains, with 48% saying it does “well” and 41% “not well”.

Asked about the most important issues facing the country today, the NHS emerged as by far the highest priority at 57%.

This was followed by immigration and energy bills, both on 29%.

Scottish independence was at 14%.

The Survation poll also asked respondents how they would vote in a referendum posing the question “Should Scotland remain part of the United Kingdom or leave the United Kingdom?”

It found 60% would back “remain” and 40% would back “leave”, when the don’t knows are removed.

Most opinion polls on Scottish independence use a Yes/No phrasing rather than remain/leave.

The survey of just over 2,000 Scots, which was carried out between September 4 and 16, also asked about voting intentions.

For the Scottish Parliament constituency vote, the poll put the SNP on 37%, Labour on 20%, Reform UK on 18%, the Conservatives on 11%, the Liberal Democrats on 7%, the Greens on 5% and Alba on 1%.

In the regional list vote, the poll put the SNP on 31%, Labour on 18%, Reform UK on 16%, the Conservatives on 13%, the Liberal Democrats on 11%, the Greens on 8% and Alba on 2%.

Alastair Cameron, chairman 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.”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “This poll confirms Scots are sick and tired of the SNP’s incompetence.

“The SNP’s 18 years in power have been epitomised by them failing on every major issue that they are responsible for.

“Our NHS is in a state of permanent crisis, our once world-leading educational standards have been destroyed, and we have the worst drug death rate in Europe.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said: “The SNP have been in Government for the past two decades and almost everything is worse off because of it.

“Whether it’s the ferries or an NHS in crisis, they have let people down.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have got a realistic plan to get our country moving again and deliver change with fairness at its heart.”

Keith Brown, depute leader of the SNP, said: “This poll gives the SNP its highest constituency vote share in almost three years and puts us within touching distance of an outright majority in the Scottish Parliament.

“The SNP is focused on making Scotland a better place to live. NHS waiting times are coming down and GP numbers are up, our young people achieved outstanding exam results this year, and we’ve just scrapped peak rail fares for good – saving commuters hundreds of pounds.

“There can be no doubt that Westminster treats Scotland as an afterthought and is holding us back.

“Independence is the fresh start that Scotland needs so we can release our nation’s full potential.”