Satisfaction with Public Services in Deprived and Other Areas

There is a widespread belief that public services delivered in more deprived areas are of a lower quality than average. This may compound the problems faced by low-income or excluded groups living in these areas. Yet the evidence base in this area is extremely weak. This work examined levels of satisfaction with public services in different types of neighbourhood in Scotland, and explored the factors (at individual, household and locational levels) which determine differences between these areas.

Findings show a significant relationship between neighbourhood deprivation levels and dissatisfaction for some important services (local authority overall, parks/open spaces, schools and GP services) but not all.

Bailey, N. and Hastings, A. (2002) Public services in deprived neighbourhoods: evidence of 'neighbourhood effects' in mainstream public services. Paper presented at the Social Policy Association conference Localities, regeneration and welfare, University of Teeside, 16-18 July 2002.

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