Human‑rights report exposes transport and housing shortfalls in Scotland’s south

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has released a new report that flags clear human‑rights failures across the south of Scotland. Covering eight local‑authority areas that together house more than a million people, the study finds that basic obligations on food, health and housing are not being met, with accessibility emerging as the biggest obstacle.

Commission investigators travelled to a wide range of communities – from Stranraer and Ayr to Dumfries, Kilmarnock and the Scottish Borders – to see first‑hand how services vary depending on where people live.

One of the stark examples highlighted is the experience of wheelchair user Janice Johnstone in Dumfries and Galloway, who says only three accessible taxis operate across the whole council area, leaving many residents effectively stranded.

Expectant mothers in Wigtownshire face a similar challenge, having to travel around 70 miles to reach maternity services in Dumfries, a journey that has become the focus of a long‑running campaign for better provision.

The report also tells the story of Donald, a former landscape gardener who suffered a stroke and later contracted Lyme disease. After being referred to a specialist clinic in another health board, he was turned away because he did not live in the designated area, leaving him “in limbo” with no clear route to recovery.

Food insecurity features prominently in the findings. Rising living costs and low incomes have forced many households to cut back on meals and rely on food banks, adding another layer of vulnerability for renters on modest incomes.

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth acknowledged that geography can make people feel disconnected from decision‑making. She pointed out that the Scottish Government already funds free‑bus travel for under‑22s, over‑60s and people with disabilities, and she framed the current public‑service reform as an opportunity to push power out of Edinburgh and into local communities. With a new prime minister promising a devolution agenda and additional funding, councils could be given the powers to franchise services and tailor solutions to rural needs.

Infrastructure projects such as a feasibility study into extending the Borders Railway to Newcastleton illustrate how improved connectivity could change the picture for remote villages.

For those with an interest in the regional property market, the implications are clear. A shortage of accessible transport and health provision can dampen demand for rental properties in hard‑to‑reach areas, while locations that secure better links may become more attractive to tenants and investors. Landlords may need to consider adapting homes for mobility needs, and prospective buyers should factor the reliability of local services into their due‑diligence.

The SHRC’s findings are a call to action for policymakers, developers and community groups. As reforms roll out, renters and landlords should monitor how transport franchising, funding allocations and rural connectivity projects evolve, because a more accessible south of Scotland could both safeguard human rights and stabilise the regional housing market.