Trust in SNP 'plummeting' as fewer than half of Scots have faith in Swinney's government

Public trust in the Scottish government remains the lowest of seven institutions with fewer than half of Scots not having faith in it, according to a landmark study. The trust in public institutions research, as part of the Scottish Household Survey, found that 45 per cent of Scots distrust the Scottish government, while 41 per cent do not trust local government. Oly 46 per cent of Scots trust the Scottish government. The research, commissioned by the Scottish government, found that distrust was lowest for the police at 19 per cent - but this figure has increased from 14 per cent in 2022.

Only 20 per cent of Scots do not trust Scotland’s education system - with distrust increased from 35 per cent in 2023 to 41 per cent in 2025 for local government and from 18 per cent to 24 per cent for the health system. Compared to 2022, trust for both levels of government fell by nine points in 2025 – the largest of any institution. However, trust levels have been more stable since 2023, with only the health service and local government seeing a noticeable fall.

Trust varied across different age groups, with those aged 16 to 34 reporting higher levels of trust than adults in the older age groups, while disabled adults reported lower trust and higher distrust than non-disabled adults across all institutions. Trust was also higher among minority ethnic groups and lower among adults living in the most deprived areas. Differences by sex and urban-rural classification were less pronounced, the report said.

It said that changes in trust since 2023 were smaller than those seen earlier in the period, suggesting “some stabilisation in trust levels”. It added that fewer people were responding “don’t know” to questions on trust compared to 2023 while distrust rose across six of the seven institutions. The report said: “Taken together, these findings suggest that public opinion may be moving towards more defined positions of either trust or distrust, and away from more neutral positions.”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader, Rachael Hamilton, said: “This damning survey confirms more and more Scots are sick and tired of this incompetent and out-of-touch SNP government. “They have spent their two decades in power addicted to secrecy and cover-ups and have focused on fringe obsessions and pushing their plans to break up the United Kingdom. “That has resulted in Scotland’s public services crumbling and Scots being forced to pay more but get less.

“It is hardly surprising trust is plummeting when the SNP repeatedly break their promises, spread misinformation and fail to focus on Scotland’s real priorities.” A Scottish government spokesperson said: “It is encouraging that levels of trust in the Scottish Government, the civil service, police and education have remained stable since 2023, with trust in the justice system improving. “It is also encouraging to see that the Carnegie UK 2026 life in the UK: Scotland report, published this week, finds that the proportion of people who had ‘high’ trust in the Scottish government had increased by six percentage points between 2025 and 2026.

“Ministers are focused on the Scottish government’s four key priorities: eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency and delivering high quality and sustainable public services. “Delivering on the actions people care about will build trust in the government.”