Public toilet numbers down the tubes under SNP

Liberal Democrat Scottish Affairs spokesperson and MP for Mid Dunbartonshire Susan Murray has today said that the SNP are sending community services “down the tubes” as she revealed that the number of public toilets has collapsed since the SNP took power.

In response to a freedom of information request from Scottish Liberal Democrats, 18 councils were able to provide details of the number of public toilets in both 2007, when the SNP were elected, and 2025.

Analysis of this data reveals that:

• Across the councils which provided data for both 2007 and 2025, there has been a 35% decrease in the number of public toilets. 
• There are now no public toilets in Falkirk or South Lanarkshire, while East Dunbartonshire has no council operated or managed public toilets.
• Clackmannanshire and Midlothian have no standalone public toilets. They have toilets available in council buildings which are only available during the opening hours of those properties.
• Since 2007, the number of public toilets has fallen by 52% in South Ayrshire, 42% in Aberdeen, 40% in East Renfrewshire, 39% in Highland and 33% in Edinburgh.

Susan Murray said:

“After almost two decades of underfunding councils, the SNP are sending important community services down the tubes. Their failure to properly support local authorities is hitting public toilets all across the country.

“For some, the lack of accessible toilets can prevent them from enjoying public spaces, while in other areas it has become an invitation for public urination. For people living with a stoma, access to public toilets is essential to their quality of life.

“To deliver change with fairness at its heart, Scottish Liberal Democrats will give local authorities a fair deal so that they can, in turn, invest in the things that matter to their communities.”