Parts of South Ayrshire labelled deprived in government study

Jan 18 2013 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

A seaside community has been branded as one of Scotland’s most deprived areas.

Part of Barassie is among the worst 15 per cent in a shock new league table of government statistics.

Performance indicators such as income, education, health, employment and housing are used for the figures.

The revelation adds to news that parts of north Ayr are still among the top five most deprived areas in the country.

And the numbers, from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, have sparked a strong reaction in the corridors of power.

Troon councillor, Peter Convery, said: “I’m shocked and disappointed and this should act as a wake-up call to everyone.

“In the case of Troon and Barassie, a lot of people have the perception they are very affluent areas with very little in the way of disturbance.

“We need to recognise that deprivation can come to any town or village and it’s a very real problem.

“Maybe it’s time to start addressing these issues in a more strategic way because, clearly, deprivation can happen anywhere.

“If the council doesn’t start tackling the problem quickly, the situation is only going to get worse.”

Ayr’s Lochside, Braehead and Whitletts remain ranked as South Ayrshire’s most deprived areas.

Towns are split up into different data zones and are then ranked in terms of their performance.

Girvan Glendoune is the other area flagged up for concern, with three of its data zones remaining in the top 15 per cent of Scotland’s deprived areas.

Figures for the whole of South Ayrshire reveal that 13.2 per cent of the population is termed “income deprived”.

The national average for Scotland is 13.4 per cent.

There is better news in housing, where none of South Ayrshire’s data zones are ranked among the worst 15 per cent in Scotland.

To read the report, visit www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SIMD