ERIC JOYCE, MP FOR FALKIRK, SAYS FALKIRK-BASED RESEARCH SHOWS SCOTS SUPPORT MORE DEVOLUTION BUT PRIORITISE IT BELOW FAMILY SECURITY AND PUBLIC SERVICES
www.FKUK.net will go live a.m. on Tuesday 25 March with the results of a survey of 10000 homes in Falkirk on a wide range of public policy issues. The sample was constructed as demographically representative of the population as a whole (note 1). Falkirk sits at the centre of a number of key Scottish social and demographic indicators (note 2) and the survey is believed to be a reasonable reflection of the views of Scots as a whole. Falkirk is Scotland’s ‘Everywheresville’.
Key findings are, based upon over 1300 returns (13%) so far analysed, are:
• 21% of people support full Independence and a further 40% supports more powers for the Scottish Parliament. But only 11% regard the issues ‘core’, or one of their top 4 priorities (12th out of 14 policy areas), and few are able to propose specific new powers.
• Health, Anti-social behaviour, Education, the Economy and Security are people’s main policy priorities.
• 86% (against 14%) of people have an optimistic outlook about their lives, but only 48% (against 46%) are optimistic for their children and grandchildren.
• People trust the NHS on ‘life and death’ issues but demand more and better personalised services on chronic conditions, convenience and on the administration of appointments.
• People have confidence in the Police for serious offences but 75% (against 18%) are dissatisfied with efforts made by the public authorities to deal with vandalism and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
• 63% (against 22%) of people agree Climate Change is ‘not a fad’ but only 25% (against 70%) are prepared to pay more for ‘greener energy’.
• 60% think ID cards ‘would be useful’, while 26% find them ‘unacceptable’.
Eric Joyce said, today (24 March): “The FKUK survey shows Falkirk folk, and Scots as a whole, place Security And Services at the top of their priorities. They are optimistic in their own lives, but apprehensive about the future for their children. They look to Westminster for their families’ economic and physical security in an uncertain world and to Holyrood to raise the quality of their daily lives through improved public services. They like the idea of more devolved powers and are open to intelligent debate on the issue, but are far more concerned about anti-social behaviour, the NHS and Education. I believe the Labour Party’s programme for Scotland must seek to synthesise the UK Government’s proven ability to assure economic and physical security in uncertain global times, with Holyrood’s ability to deliver on public services and anti-social behaviour.
