Scotland has suffered one of sharpest falls among developed countries in ranking of national wellbeing and is now on a par with Slovenia. Scotland fell 5 places into bottom half of 32 OECD nations across range of measures including income, education, longevity and inclusivity.
The Index of Social and Economic Wellbeing report said that Scotland had underperformed in key areas during the two decades since devolution. Scotland had dropped to 21st place.
According to economist John McLaren of the Scottish Trends website, life expectancy remained the weakest area of performance for Scotland, standing at about 79 years. Education was also cited as an area of concern.
Data published last month by the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) showed no improvement in science and maths performance in Scotland.
McLaren blamed underperformance on various factors including accountability. “There is a lack of being held to account over policy decisions, in other words too little scrutiny and proper evaluation of the actions of the Scottish government."
“This is down to a variety of shortcomings, including a weak committee system in the parliament, a lack of academic involvement, a dearth of think tanks, poorly funded political parties and a declining and underfunded media presence,” says McLaren
He also says badly funded opposition parties at Holyrood has led to the inhibition of alternative policy ideas: “Outside of the SNP, Scotland’s political parties are either small operations or in effect branch operations of UK parties and in both cases poorly funded."
McLaren: “This has inhibited the development of alternative policy ideas and led to a lack of political competition, as their operations are relatively ineffectual in challenging the well-funded and civil service-supported (in technical terms), SNP-led government.”
