Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 21 December 2021
21 Dec 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Rented Housing Sector
Thank you, minister, for taking an intervention—it seems to be a popular thing to do at this point.
Tomorrow, in Glasgow, approximately 14 people will be taken to court by housing associations—action that could potentially result in evictions. You and I have both campaigned strongly against winter evictions. Would you consider bringing forward immediately regulations to end winter evictions so that no one is evicted from their house, particularly in this period when people can be asked to self-isolate at home? People cannot self-isolate if they do not have a home.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-02625, in the name of Patrick Harvie, on a new deal for tenants. I invite members who wish to participate...
The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights (Patrick Harvie)
Green
I am delighted to be able to do so, Presiding Officer. I have taken part in housing debates in the chamber over many years, and during those debates, I have ...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Patrick Harvie
Green
I think that I heard the request from Pam Duncan-Glancy first.
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
Thank you, minister, for taking an intervention—it seems to be a popular thing to do at this point. Tomorrow, in Glasgow, approximately 14 people will be ta...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Please direct interventions through the Presiding Officer.
Patrick Harvie
Green
I will come on to winter evictions later. As Pam Duncan-Glancy knows, some of the temporary coronavirus pandemic measures around discretion at the tribunal a...
Bob Doris
SNP
I apologise—I will try very hard to be brief. I have previously corresponded with the minister on this matter. Many constituents feel that social landlords...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you some of that time back, minister.
Patrick Harvie
Green
I am grateful for that, Presiding Officer. Bob Doris makes very fair points, and I hope that such arguments will come across in the consultation responses. ...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I thank the organisations that provided useful briefings ahead of today’s debate and the many housing charities and organisations that work in all our commun...
Miles Briggs
Con
I am happy to give way—if I can get some time back, Presiding Officer.
Patrick Harvie
Green
It is very clear that rent pressure zones have not been used anywhere by any local authority. One of the issues is that the burden of responsibility is on lo...
Miles Briggs
Con
I very much agree with that point. Rent pressure zones were introduced by the Government, but local authorities have not felt that they have been provided wi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I advise members that we are tight for time. That is not an instruction not to take interventions, but you might need to accommodate them in your allocated t...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am the owner of a rented property in North Lanarkshire. Scottish Labour we...
Patrick Harvie
Green
I would like to support the Labour amendment, if I understand its meaning correctly. When Mr Griffin says that the framework needs to be brought forward in t...
Mark Griffin
Lab
We certainly do not expect the legislation to come into force in year 2 of this parliamentary session, but we would look for the details of the framework for...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I have been in too many shoddy, damp, mouldy, poorly insulated and cold but far too expensive properties that could never be classed as a place to call home....
Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a councillor in Aberdeen City Council. The new deal for tenants consult...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
It goes without saying that the housing system in Scotland is notoriously complex, and I welcome the opportunity to make positive changes to our rental secto...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
The next two speakers join us remotely. 16:07
Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a serving councillor at Aberdeen City Council. I am grateful to have th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Pauline McNeill is also joining us remotely. 16:11
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I believe that the Scottish Government missed the opportunity to get private sector rents under control in the previous session of Parliament. I say that bec...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate. I welcome the consultation with all the relevant parties. I draw members’ attention to my entry in ...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
I thank the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights for lodging the motion. It signals the beginning of a long-overdue transfor...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I celebrated the strides that were made in the previous session of Parliament to make private tenancies more secure. They did not undo the fact that I had be...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
There can be no doubt that, as others have said, Scotland is facing a difficult period with regard to the housing market. Here, in the Lothians, it can be se...