Dimension 4. Care-Supporting Infrastructure
Intro
The original global Care Policy Scorecard focuses on infrastructure that is especially relevant to low-income countries, such as access to piped water or household electricity, both of which offer significant labour savings for households. These areas are of less relevance in Scotland. The Care Policy Scorecard for Scotland therefore focused on two areas of care-supporting infrastructure relevant to the Scottish context: access to energy efficiency schemes, and transport. The scorecard assessment explores how policies in these two areas support care giving by both paid and unpaid carers in Scotland
Dimension snapshot assessment
Rising energy costs and inconsistent access to affordable, well-connected transport have a significant impact on care giving. Women, unpaid carers, disabled people and families on low income are disproportionately affected. While Scotland has introduced policies intended to improve access to energy efficiency schemes and prioritise tackling inequality in transport, gaps remain in delivery, data and design.
Summary
Infrastructure that supports care extends beyond formal services. It includes the cost and accessibility of heating a home, travelling to provide or receive care, and ensuring that basic needs can be met affordably and safely. These systems shape the daily realities of caring, particularly for women who undertake most unpaid care and make the majority of care related journeys.
Scotland has introduced schemes to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty, and has set ambitions to improve access to public transport. However:
- Energy efficiency support does not always reach those in need
- Lack of consistent data makes it difficult to evaluate impact for different groups
- Rural and island communities face particular transport challenges
- Public transport routes do not always reflect the travel patterns involved in care
- Ticketing systems are often fragmented, making trip chaining more difficult
- Safety concerns restrict women’s use of public transport
- Budget transparency and sufficiency remain unclear in both policy areas
These gaps have a direct impact on carers’ ability to work, study, travel, heat their homes and care safely.
Policy areas that influenced this score
Policy Area 4A. Energy
Energy costs and efficiency have a direct impact on the ability of both paid and unpaid carers to provide safe and comfortable care. Rising energy prices have placed significant strain on households, particularly for women, unpaid carers and disabled people who are more likely to live in fuel poverty. Access to energy efficiency schemes can reduce costs and improve wellbeing, but delivery is inconsistent and data gaps make it difficult to assess whether support is reaching all who need it.
Scotland has committed significant investment to improving energy efficiency, including a national plan to expand access to schemes and targeted support for households in fuel poverty. While these measures have potential, monitoring and evaluation are limited, and the needs of carers and low-income households are not consistently addressed in policy design.
View policy area +Policy Area 4B. Transport
Transport plays a vital role in supporting care. Women make most care related journeys, often combining multiple tasks such as travelling to education, healthcare, shops and care settings in a single trip. Reliable, affordable and accessible public transport is therefore essential for both paid and unpaid carers.
Scotland’s transport strategy commits to tackling inequality, but major gaps remain. Public transport routes do not always reflect care related travel patterns, ticketing systems are fragmented and rural and island communities face significant barriers to access. Safety concerns, poor connectivity and affordability issues all limit the extent to which transport supports care.
View policy area +Dimension assessment
Infrastructure shapes whether care is possible, manageable and equitable. High energy costs and limited access to efficient heating systems disproportionately affect women, unpaid carers and disabled people. Without adequate energy efficiency measures and support, many households struggle to meet basic needs.
Transport systems also heavily influence care. Women make most care related journeys, often involving multiple stops, yet transport networks are not designed with these patterns in mind. Long travel times, limited rural services and safety concerns create barriers to accessing work, education, healthcare and community support.
While Scotland has demonstrated ambition in these areas, current delivery and design do not yet create an enabling environment for care. Stronger investment, better data and a focus on the lived reality of carers are required to achieve meaningful change.