Why is this Purpose target important?
The healthy development of our society depends on reducing inequalities and sharing the future benefits of growth among people and communities. Unlocking the economic potential of all individuals will support economic growth by increasing labour market participation and by removing the personal and social costs of poverty.
What will influence this Purpose target?
Income inequality is influenced by several factors, including:
- Accessibility of employment opportunities, especially for those on lower incomes
- Opportunities for the lower-paid to improve their skills
- Changes in the income differential between the lowest and highest paid occupations
- Entitlement to, and take-up of, benefits
What is the Government's role?
The Government influences solidarity in a number of ways. These include:
- Learning, skills and well-being: a focus on giving every child a strong start in life, as well as in school education, enabling them to gain the skills they need to succeed
- Infrastructure development and place: a focus on investment that will improve Scottish transport connections to maximise employment opportunities
- Equity: providing the opportunities - and incentives - for all to contribute to Scotland's sustainable economic growth. For example, by ensuring that support is available to improve the life chances of those most at risk
- Effective government: to support local employability partnerships to help more people into work through delivery of effective services that meet their needs
How are we performing?
Total income received by Scottish households increased every year from 1999 to 2009. Between 2008-09 and 2009-10 it increased from £76 billion to £77 billion (in 2009 prices).During this period the proportion of income received by those at the bottom of the income distribution remained broadly unchanged. Between 2004-05 and 2009-10 the proportion of income received by those in the bottom three deciles remained between 13% and 14% however has been slowly falling.
Source: ONS Gross Disposable Household Income
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Department for Work and Pension's Family Resources Survey, Households Below Average Income datasets
Criteria for recent change
The evaluation is based on:
- The position is improving if the share of income received by the lowest 3 deciles increases by 1 percentage point or more and the total income does not fall;
- The position is worsening if the share of income received by the lowest 3 deciles falls by 1 percentage point or more or if total income falls;
The position is maintaining in any other case.
Further information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Statistics Topic Page