Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 02 February 2022
02 Feb 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Prevention of Homelessness Duties
Our world-leading homelessness legislation has been recognised by many organisations. However, what matters is that we ensure that it is used, that the policy is implemented and that we are able to eradicate homelessness entirely. That will take time; this debate is the next stage of that process.
In 2018, the experts on our homelessness and rough sleeping action group presented us with solutions and we adopted their recommendations in full. Our ending homelessness together action plan, which was based on those recommendations, was refreshed in 2020-21. Stakeholders have universally welcomed the plan, which includes a shift towards rapid rehousing, a reduction in use of temporary accommodation and new homelessness prevention duties. It is the right plan. Those are mutually reinforcing activities: making progress in homelessness prevention improves our chances of progress in the other areas.
Our plans are backed by investment of £100 million pounds from 2018-19 to 2025-26. It is now time to take the next steps on the journey towards ending homelessness through our commitment to introducing new legal duties to prevent homelessness.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-03018, in the name of Shona Robison, on prevention of homelessness duties. 14:55
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
The Parliament should be proud of the progressive housing rights that it has introduced for people who experience, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessne...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I am puzzled as to how the minister can claim that we have world-leading legislation on homelessness when tens of thousands of people in Scotland do not have...
Shona Robison
SNP
Our world-leading homelessness legislation has been recognised by many organisations. However, what matters is that we ensure that it is used, that the polic...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Concerns have been expressed about the proposal to remove the right to permanent accommodation and replace it with a right to stable accommodation. All of us...
Shona Robison
SNP
The consultation on the matter runs until the end of March. We want to ensure that we get it right, and we want to prevent more homelessness at an earlier st...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Shona Robison
SNP
Yes—a brief one.
Jeremy Balfour
Con
The cabinet secretary talks about the key role that local authorities will play, but how will they do that when their budgets are being cut yet again this year?
Shona Robison
SNP
Local authority budgets have been set out in the draft budget, including the addition of £120 million. If Jeremy Balfour thinks that more money needs to be a...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Miles Briggs to speak to and move amendment S6M-03018.2. You have up to seven minutes, Mr Briggs. 15:05
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I thank the organisations and charities that have provided helpful briefings ahead of the debate, including Shelter Scotland and Crisis. Both charities have ...
Shona Robison
SNP
I remind Miles Briggs that we have doubled our ending homelessness together fund from £50 million to £100 million, but we recognise that some local authoriti...
Miles Briggs
Con
I look forward to that. During the pandemic, we saw significant reductions in the levels of homelessness across Scotland and in the capital. I hope that th...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I am the owner of a rental property in North Lanarkshire. We w...
Shona Robison
SNP
I will reiterate what I said to Miles Briggs: the proposals will strengthen the range of homelessness rights, and they do not change any existing rights to h...
Mark Griffin
Lab
It is good to have that reassurance, and I am sure that Shelter will be reassured, too. I look forward to debating the detail of the proposed legislation whe...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude.
Mark Griffin
Lab
If we are to truly end homelessness and prevent it in the future, we need to make sure that our public services are funded to deliver on their new duties. I...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
Every 19 minutes, a household becomes homeless. By the time that this debate ends, another four households could be homeless. Last year, 27,000 people were c...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude, Mr Rennie.
Willie Rennie
LD
—that this will be a change and we will end homelessness in Scotland. I live in hope, because we need desperate action.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Elena Whitham is the first speaker in the open debate. 15:22
Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
SNP
I refer members to my entry in the register of interests, which shows that I am still a serving councillor in East Ayrshire Council. It is also important to ...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Access to affordable, safe and stable housing must be a central part of any strategy to end homelessness. That is why the Scottish Conservatives believe that...
Shona Robison
SNP
Will Tess White give way on that point?
Tess White
Con
I am just about to say my final few words. Dundee is grappling with a mental health crisis, a drugs crisis and a homelessness crisis, and the council is abo...
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
Housing is important. Good-quality and affordable homes, as well as being good for health, support valuable local jobs. They are a good example of creating a...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, where I have registered that I own property for rent. Tackling the homelessness crisis, w...
Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
Does the member agree that it might help the situation all around if local authorities could get their void properties up to scratch?