National outcomes and key indicators

Scottish Government national outcomes and indicators

Work to improve financial capability supports the Government's economic strategy, solidarity target, and strategic objectives, 'Wealthier and Fairer' and 'Smarter' in particular.

National outcomes relating to financial capability

  • We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society
  • We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people
  • Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed
  • We live longer, healthier lives

National indicators relating to financial capability

  • Decrease the proportion of individuals living in poverty
  • Reduce number of working age people with severe literacy and numeracy problems
  • Increase the average score of adults on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale by 2011

Read more about the Scottish Government's objectives, national outcomes and indicators.

Local indicators

Financial capability may also make a contribution to local indicators, for example, economy, poverty and employability indicators.

Financial inclusion indicators

The following were used as key indicators of financial inclusion in the Scottish Household Survey:

  • Proportion of households where respondent or partner has a bank, building society or credit union account
  • Proportion of households that are coping well or very well financially
  • Proportion of households that have some savings (i.e. more than none at all)

Links to COSLA priorities

The Scottish Government and COSLA have agreed priorities for action and investment across three main areas, to all of which financial capability can make a contribution:

  • Tackling income inequalities: by making work pay, maximising opportunities to work and maximising income for all.
  • Addressing long-term drivers of poverty: through providing all children and young people with the best start in life, promoting equality and tackling discrimination, dealing with health inequalities, delivering good quality affordable housing and regenerating disadvantaged communities.
  • Supporting those experiencing poverty now: by delivering a fairer system of local taxation, supporting more citizens who face hardship as a result of rising energy prices, and measures to ensure greater financial inclusion.

Find out more about the priorities jointly agreed by the Scottish Government and COSLA in Achieving Our Potential.