'More Needs Done' On Housing

More needs to be done to ensure Scots can afford housing costs.

That is what Scottish Labour will argue today - they have chosen housing as the topic of their first parliamentary debate after the summer break. Last year the party attempted to limit rent rises but the amendment was blocked by other by the other parties.

Fife council surveyed 30,000 tenants and found 75 per cent were satisfied with the service they received.

Scottish Labour Communities spokesperson Ken Macintosh MSP said: "Ensuring everyone has access to a decent home should be the starting block in our mission to build a more equitable society.  It’s not an impossible dream and it’s not an unrealistic goal. All that is required is the political will.

"Sadly, not a week has gone by this summer without further evidence or a new report highlighting the housing problems that are facing thousands of Scots. Just last month, the proportion of Scots who own their own home hit a 15-year low, while the number who rent privately hit a 15-year high. In fact, the amount that is paid in rent by tenants in private lets is at an all-time high. Too many people are either paying too much, living in inadequate accommodation, or both.

"Scottish Labour has chosen housing to be the subject of our first debate in this new Scottish Parliamentary session because we believe it needs to become a political priority. 

"This is not just about the Scottish Government’s record, nor about drawing a comparison between this and previous administrations.  It is about using the powers of the Parliament to tackle the problem before us, to improve people’s lives, and to ensure every Scot has a safe, warm and affordable home."