NOT FOR BROADCAST OR PUBLICATION BEFORE HRS ON 16 DECEMBER

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1 NOT FOR BROADCAST OR PUBLICATION BEFORE HRS ON 16 DECEMBER 2017 ORKNEY RETAINS ITS SPOT AS THE SECOND BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN THE UK Orkney second most desirable place to live with no other Scottish location breaking the UK s top twenty. Orkney, the Shetland Islands and the named the top three locations to live in Scotland. However, Shetland Islands drop 52 places in the UK rankings of best places to live. Orkney has again been named the second best place to live in the UK, according to Bank of Scotland s latest quality of life survey. Orkney retained its title as best place to live in Scotland, followed by the Shetland Islands in second and the in third. Some reasons why Orkney has such a great quality of life: Crime rates are one of the lowest in the UK, with a burglary rate of just 3.7 per 10,000 people, compared to a Scottish average of 24.2 and 29.7 for the rest of the UK. School children benefit from the UK s largest spending per pupil for primary and secondary children 9,662 per pupil compared to the Scottish average of 5,928 and 4,645 for the UK. People living in Orkney are the most satisfied with life (8.3 out of ten). The overwhelming majority of adults (96.6%) report being in good or fairly good health compared to a national average of 94.6%. It s no surprise then that Orkney also ranks highly when it comes to happiness. The employment rate, at 87.0%, is the highest in the UK. Low population density with 22 residents per square kilometre compared to the Scottish average of 487 and UK average of 271. Low amount of traffic on the roads, with just 147 cars per square kilometre, compared to the UK average of 9,519. In their leisure time Orcadians have a large number of pubs to choose from - 20 per 10,000 adults. Shetland Islands are the second most desirable place to live The Shetland Islands have also retained their title as the second best place to live in Scotland. They score particularly well for education, having one of the lowest average numbers of school pupils in primary schools across the UK 19 compared to the Scottish average of 22.9 pupils. The Shetland Islands also have one of the lowest secondary school pupil to teacher ratio in the UK 14.7 pupils to teacher, compared to the Scottish average of They also have a high spend per pupil compared to the rest of the UK, with an average of 8,701. That s almost twice the Scottish average of 5,928 and double the UK spend of 4,645 per pupil. Although the Shetland Islands are the second best place to live in Scotland, it has dropped 52 places in the UK rankings from 18th place in 2016, to 70th place this year.

2 The takes third place, scoring strongly on low traffic flows, crime rates, class sizes and spending per pupil. Graham Blair, mortgage director at Bank of Scotland, said, It s great to see Orkney retain its title of best place to live in Scotland and the second best place to live in the whole of the UK, losing out narrowly to Hart in the South East of England. With high employment, low population and traffic levels, as well as having lots to do and see, it s no wonder that Orcadians also have the highest life satisfaction ratings. Looking at the differences between the 2016 and 2017 results it s good to see East Renfrewshire, with its great education results and high weekly earnings average climb from 15th place to 11th. Aberdeen City has seen a drop from 11th to 17th in the rankings despite retaining the title of sunniest place in Scotland. Key findings of the survey Labour Market Employment is highest in the Orkney Islands 87.0%, ahead of Shetlands (85.5%). The Scottish average is 74.3%. The highest weekly average earnings in Scotland are in Stirling, at 845 per week (p/w), followed by East Renfrewshire ( 789 p/w) and East Dunbartonshire ( 739 p/w). The Scottish average is 630 per week. The proportion of adults (16 years and over) with the highest level of qualification gained (such as a degree, NVQ level 4 and above or professional qualification) in Scotland is highest in Edinburgh (49%), followed by East Renfrewshire (45.2%), and East Dunbartonshire (44.6%) all above the Scottish average of 35.1%. Housing The biggest homes in Scotland are in East Renfrewshire and the, which with both having an average of 4.9 habitable rooms. The smallest homes are in West Dunbartonshire (4.2), Glasgow City, Aberdeen City and Dundee City (all 4.3). The average number of habitable rooms in Scotland is 4.6. Broadband speed is based on the proportion of premises able to receive 5Mbps (mega bits per second). West Dunbartonshire and Dundee fair best for internet access in Scotland (both 99%), closely followed by Glasgow and Edinburgh (98%) and Falkirk and North Lanarkshire (97%). East Lothian has the highest average house price to earnings ratio in Scotland (6.2), followed by East Dunbartonshire (6.1) and Edinburgh (6.0). The Scottish average is 5.1.

3 Urban Environment The UK s four most sparsely populated areas are all in Scotland: the and Highlands jointly take the top spot for lowest population density, with just nine people per square kilometre (pp/ km), followed by Argyle & Bute (13 pp/km), Shetland Islands (16 pp/ km) and the Orkney Islands (22 pp/km). Scottish average of 487pp/km and national average of 271pp/km. The lowest traffic levels in the UK are found in the with just 80 vehicles per square kilometre, Highland (108 vehicles/km) and Argyll & Bute (137 vehicles/km). The Scottish average is 3,333 vehicles/km. has the UK s lowest burglary rate per 10,000 people (2.2), followed by Orkney Islands (3.7) and the Shetlands (3.9). The Scottish average is 24.2 per/10,000. Glasgow has the lowest CO2 emissions in Scotland, with 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per household. This is below the Scottish average of 1.9 tonnes of CO2 per capita. Physical Environment The lowest average annual rainfall (804 mm) is in Dundee City. Eight of the ten driest districts are in East Scotland. Argyll & Bute is the wettest place in Scotland with 2,165 mm of rain. The Scottish average annual rainfall is 1,311 mm. The sunniest place in Scotland is once again Aberdeen City where residents enjoy an average of 27.9 hours of sunshine a week. The Scottish average is 25.1 hours. Health Scotland s healthiest districts are Aberdeenshire (96.8%), Orkney (96.6%) and the Shetland Islands (96.5%). In Scotland, 94.7% of households rate themselves as in good or fairly good health. Life expectancy for males at birth is highest in East Dunbartonshire (80.5 years). The Scottish average is 77.5 years. Life expectancy for females at birth is also highest in East Dunbartonshire (83.5 years). The Scottish average is 81.4 years. Education Across the UK, Primary school class sizes are smallest in Scotland. All 10 local authority districts with the smallest primary school classes are here. The has the lowest in the UK with 17.3 compared to a Scotland average of 22.9.

4 The has the lowest secondary school pupil teacher ratio of 13.4 compared to 17.8 across the Scotland as a whole. The best Scottish higher results in Scotland are found in (84.4%) and East Renfrewshire (81.3%). Both are well above the Scottish average of 68.2%. The highest average school (both secondary and primary) spend per pupil is in the Orkneys ( 9,662) almost twice the UK average of 4,645. Personal Well-Being Personal well-being is based on four categories life satisfaction, worthwhile and happiness: Adults (16 and over) in Orkney have the highest average rating for life satisfaction in Scotland. Based on a score out of 10, the adults in these areas had an average rating of 8.3. The Scottish average is 7.7. With a rating of 8.3 (out of ten) adults in the and Orkneys also believe what they do in life is worthwhile, which is above the Scottish average of 7.9. The happiest adults in Scotland are in the Orkneys (8.2), significantly higher than the Scottish average of 7.6. Leisure Surprisingly, Argyll & Bute has the highest number of pubs per 10,000 adults in Scotland (25) followed by Orkney (20). The Scottish average is 9.5. For the active, Perth & Kinross is the place to head to for health and fitness clubs where there are 2.7 clubs per 10,000 people. The Scottish average is Ends-

5 Notes for editors: Table 1: 2017 Bank of Scotland Quality of Life Rankings Top 10 Scottish Local Authority Districts Local Authority Rank 2017 Rank 2016 Orkney Islands 1 1 Shetland Islands Perth & Kinross 4 5 Scottish Borders 5 4 Argyll & Bute 6 8 Aberdeenshire 7 6 Dumfries & Galloway 8 9 East Dunbartonshire 9 7 Angus East Renfrewshire Fife Stirling East Lothian Highlands South Ayrshire Aberdeen City Moray West Lothian Midlothian Clackmannanshire Falkirk City of Edinburgh South Lanarkshire Renfrewshire East Ayrshire North Ayrshire West Dunbartonshire Dundee City North Lanarkshire Inverclyde Glasgow City Source: Bank of Scotland December 2017

6 Table 2: 2017 Bank of Scotland Quality of Life Rankings UK s top 10 Local Authority Districts Local Authority Region Rank 2017 Rank 2016 Hart South East 1 26 Orkney Islands Scotland 2 2 Rutland East Midlands 3 28 Wychavon West Midlands 4 3 Winchester South East 5 1 Wokingham South East 6 9 Waverley South East 7 17 Craven Yorkshire and The Humber 8 64 Richmondshire Yorkshire and The Humber 9 33 Stratford-on-Avon West Midlands Source: Bank of Scotland December 2017 Table 3: Local Authority District with the Best Quality of Life in each region in 2017 Local Authority Region Hart South East Rutland East Midlands Uttlesford East of England Wychavon West Midlands Westminster London Purbeck South West Craven Yorkshire and The Humber Monmouthshire Wales Orkneys Scotland Eden North West North Downs & Ards Northern Ireland Northumberland North East Source: Bank of Scotland December 2017 Table 4: Local Authority District with the Best Quality of Life in each category in 2017 Group Variable Local Authority District Labour (Scotland average 74.3 Highest employment rate: 87.0% Orkney Islands UK average is 73.6%) (Scotland average 630 per week UK- 655 per week) (Scotland average 35.1% UK 35.2%) Highest gross weekly Earnings: 845 % of adults (16+) with highest qualification gained: 49%. This Stirling City of Edinburgh

7 includes graduate and post postgraduate degrees, NVQ level 4 and above, and professional qualifications. Housing (Scotland average 4.6 UK 5.5) (Scotland average 95% UK 97%) (Scotland average 5.1 UK 7.3) (Scotland average 91% UK 94%) Urban environment (Scotland average 487 per sq/km UK- 271 per sq/km) (Scotland average 3,333 cars/km UK- 9,519 cars/km) (Scotland average 24.2 per 10,000 people UK per 10,000 people) (Scotland average 1.9 tonnes CO 2 emissions per household UK 1.7 tonnes CO 2 emissions per household Highest average number of rooms in house: 4.9 Largest % of houses with central heating & bathrooms: 100% Lowest House price to earnings ratio: 4.1 % of households with more than 5Mbps: 99% of premises have broadband speed in excess of 5Mbps Lowest Population density per sqr km: 9 Lowest traffic flows per square km: 80 cars /km Lowest burglary rate per 10,000 population: 2.2 per 10,000 people Lowest Total Consumer CO 2 Emissions: 1.5 tonnes per household East Renfrewshire East Ayrshire Inverclyde North Ayrshire West Dunbartonshire Dundee Highland Glasgow City Physical environment (Scotland average 1,311.0 mm per year UK mm per year) (Scotland average 25.1 hours per week UK hours per week) Health (Scotland average 94.7% UK 94.6%) (Scotland average 77.5 years UK years) (Scotland average 81.4 years UK years) Lowest average annual rainfall: 804mm Highest average weekly sunshine hours: 27.9 hours Highest % of residents in good health: 96.8% Longest Male life expectancy at birth for males: 80.5 years Longest Female life expectancy at birth for males: 83.5 years Dundee City Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire East Dunbartonshire East Dunbartonshire

8 Education (Scotland average 22.9 pupils per class UK pupils per class) Secondary Education (Scotland average 17.8 pupil to teacher UK 20.8 pupil to teacher) Secondary Education Exams (Scotland average 68.2% UK- 59.5%) Lowest average number of pupils in primary school class: 17.3 Lowest secondary school pupil teacher ratio: 13.4 Highest % of 15yr olds with 5 or more GCSEs A-C grade including English & Maths: 84.4% (in Scotland % of 15yr+ olds with 5 or more SCQFs at level 4 or better including English & Maths) Per pupil spending (primary and secondary) (Scotland average 5,928 per pupil UK - 4,645 per pupil) Personal Well Being (Scotland average 7.7 from 10 UK- 7.7 from 10) (Scotland average 7.9 from 10 UK- 7.9 from 10) (Scotland average 7.6 from 10 UK- 7.5 from 10) Leisure (Scotland average 9.5 per 10,000 people UK-10.1 per 10,000 people) (Scotland average 1.2 per 10,000 people UK-1.4 per 10,000 people) Source: Bank of Scotland December 2017 Highest per pupil spend: 9,662 Highest Life Satisfaction rating out of 10: 8.3 Highest Worthwhile rating out of 10: 8.3 Highest Happiness rating out of 10: 8.2 Number of pubs per 10,000 population: 25 per 10,000 people Number of fitness & Health clubs per 10,000 population: 2.7 per 10,000 people Orkney Islands Orkney Islands & Orkney Islands (joint top) Orkney Islands Argylle & Bute Perth & Kinross The Quality of Life index aims to quantify where living standards are highest in the United Kingdom by ranking local performance across a range of indicators covering the labour market, the housing market, the environment, education, health, personal well-being and leisure. The index has been produced at a local authority district level. The quality of life reading for each local authority has been created by summing scores across 26 variables within 8 broad groups. Each local authority district is given a score out of 10 for each variable contained in the index. Scores within each of the broad groups are averaged and then the seven group scores are summed to create an overall quality of life score.

9 Note: 1 health clubs and leisure centres covers commercial health & fitness clubs and the other local authority leisure centres, local authority swimming pools with gyms and universities with access for the public. Source: Leisure intelligence analysi s supplied by John Turner Leisure Marketing Limited t/a Leisure Lists See separate technical note for more information on methodology of index and data sources. Group Variable Period covered Labour Employment rate % Jul 2016-Jun 2017 Gross w eekly Earnings s April 2017 (uprated by average w eekly earnings to September 2017) % of adults(16+) with highest 2011 Census data qualification gained Housing Number of rooms in house Scotland Housing Conditions Survey 2009/11 % of houses w ith central heating and Scotland housing Conditions Survey sole use of bathroom 2009/11 House prices to Earnings ratio 12 months to October 2017 Proportion of premises able to receive OFCOM Mbit/s Broadband Urban environment Population density per square km 2016 ONS Traffic flow s per square km 2016 Burglary rate per 10,000 population Scottish Government 2016/2017 CO2 Emissions per tonne per capita Department of Energy and Climate Change (covers period ) Physical Average annual rainfall mm Met Office Average 2009/2013 environment Annual sunshine hours Met Office Average 2009/2013 Health % in good or fairly good health 2011 Census Life expectancy at birth for males Scotland 2013/15 Life expectancy at birth for females Scotland 2013/15 Education Number of pupils in primary school Scotland Average class size of primary class pupils, 2016 % of 15yr+ olds w ith 5 or more GCSEs Scotland 2015/16 A-C grade or Scottish equivalent including English & Maths Average state school (primary and Scotland 2015/16 secondary) spending per pupil Secondary school pupil teacher Scotland 2015/16 ratio Personal Well- Life Satisfaction April 2016-March 2017 ONS Being Worthw hile April 2016-March 2017 ONS Happiness April 2016-March 2017 ONS Leisure Number of Pubs 2016 British Beer and Pub Association Number of Fitness & Health clubs 2016 Leisure intelligence analysis supplied by John Turner Leisure Marketing Limited t/a Leisure Lists

10 "This report is prepared from information that we believe is collated with care, however, it is only intended to highlight issues and it is not intended to be comprehensive. We reserve the right to vary our methodology and to edit or discontinue/withdraw this, or any other report. Any use of this report for an individual's own or third party commercial purposes is done entirely at the risk of the person making such use and solely the responsibility of the person or persons making such reliance. " Bank of Scotland plc all rights reserved 2017.