Coronavirus in Scotland: People living in deprived areas more likely to get Covid fine

Professor Susan McVie, of the University of Edinburgh, found those living in the 10% least well-off Scottish neighbourhoods were 11.2 times more likely to receive a fine than those in the 10% least deprived.

Her findings were published in a paper on Monday used by the Independent Advisory Group on Police Use of Temporary Powers Relating to the Coronavirus Crisis.

It said: “Whatever the reason, it is important to remember that the overall use of enforcement was very low, even amongst those living in the most deprived communities.

“Expressed as a rate per 10,000 of the population aged 16 or over, only 27.3 people per 10,000 living in the 10% most deprived communities were issued with an FPN as a result of breaching the Coronavirus Regulations.

“Nevertheless, these findings do reflect an additional degree of inequality in the way the pandemic was experienced amongst some people who live in communities that are already typified by poorer health, economic, educational and environmental outcomes.”

Findings used in the advisory group’s report t the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) show that women, older people and those with a prior criminal history in the most deprived areas had a higher than average likelihood of receiving a fine.

The paper claims it is was not possible to explain these patterns “although they reflect an additional degree of inequality” in the way the pandemic has been experienced amongst certain communities.

Poorer Scots are 11 times more likely to get a Covid fine than their wealthier peers, according to a new report.

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