Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 11 November 2020
I, too, thank Alasdair Allan for securing the debate. The issue is hugely important, and I am pleased that we are able to debate it today.
Although the debate appears to have been inspired by issues that may be more immediate in the Western Isles, the motion recognises that availability of affordable housing is essential if young people are to make the islands their home, and to prevent population decline. It is right that a strategic objective is included in the national islands plan; I would be interested if the minister could give an update on progress in that regard.
Housing issues can be some of the most challenging and frustrating casework that we receive—I am sure that other members feel the same. Shetland is my home, and it matters to me. It is a beautiful part of the world, but beautiful scenery alone is not enough to encourage skilled workers to make the move north. There are skills shortages in Shetland. Efforts to invest in, develop and attract the highly skilled workforce that will be needed for Shetland’s just transition will be wasted if people do not have the opportunity to make a home in the islands and to contribute to our economy for the long term.
I know of people who relocated to Shetland to fill job vacancies but who, unfortunately, might now have to leave the isles because they cannot afford the high private rents or face a long wait for social housing in their chosen area. I know two families who are keen to return to Shetland to work and raise their children there, but they are experiencing similar issues.
Alasdair Allan is right to say that a lack of housing impacts on the viability of schools and other services. That is no criticism of local authority staff, who are working hard and doing their best for people with the resources that they have. There are long-standing issues across the country with changing demographics and underoccupancy.
Affordable housing is more than just a physical building. The cost of living in Shetland is up to 60 per cent higher than the UK average, and fuel poverty is high. It is vital that homes are energy efficient and that people can get a good broadband connection and mobile signal where they live. This year has demonstrated, more than ever, how essential that is.
Island living is impossible without good transport links—inter-island as well as lifeline connections to the mainland. The social housing that is available is often not in areas close to family and friends or to work, and bus timetables might not work for people who work shifts. If the Government invests in our most remote communities, that can change. Properly addressing housing issues needs joined-up thinking on the private market and social housing provision, and engagement with local community groups and between local government and national Government.
Community groups need to be able to make use of the rural and islands housing funds. Development trusts have often struggled with administrative barriers to that kind of funding, and no homes have been built in Shetland so far using the scheme. The islands housing fund should open doors—literally and figuratively—for people in communities such as mine. The Scottish Government must do far more to remove the obstacles that I have described and to support communities in developing applications.
We need a commitment from ministers not to claw back much-needed resources in the event that projects take a little longer to deliver. The Government should consider providing incentives to ensure that many of the neglected and vacant properties across the country are renovated and brought up to an acceptable standard.
There is an opportunity to ensure that island communities get the affordable housing that they need, and the Scottish Government can do more to help them to seize that opportunity.
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