Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 January 2023
25 Jan 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Housing
I will start by saying how refreshing it was to hear the tone of Jamie Greene’s closing speech in the previous debate. Would it not be so much more productive if the Tories took that tone in the chamber instead of making constant attacks? They say that it is all our fault; there is no positivity and no solutions are proposed. That is something on which the Tories need to reflect.
Jamie Greene mentioned the problem of empty homes, which is an important issue. We have been taking action on empty homes, which has brought more than 8,259 homes back into use since 2010. However, there is more to be done, without a shadow of a doubt. That is why we have made a commitment to look at compulsory purchase powers and to modernise the process. I wonder whether the Tories will vote for or against those measures when they are introduced. I suspect that, yet again, it will be a case of their saying one thing in the chamber and voting in a completely different way when it comes to introducing measures to resolve the problem.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-07614, in the name of Miles Briggs, on delivering the homes that Scotland needs. I ask those members who ...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Scotland has a critical shortage of housing, as I think the previous debate clearly outlined. Given the amendments to my motion, I do not think that any part...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
If Miles Briggs has been meeting with the sector, he will have heard what I have heard, which is that the key issue that it faces is the rate of inflation—in...
Miles Briggs
Con
I think that is where the global commodity prices have been impacting. Coming out of the pandemic, issues around steel and concrete have had a huge impact gl...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Before I call the cabinet secretary, I remind members to exercise a bit of caution in any references—direct or indirect—to the Cost of Living (Tenant Protect...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
I will start by saying how refreshing it was to hear the tone of Jamie Greene’s closing speech in the previous debate. Would it not be so much more productiv...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome measures to modernise the compulsory purchase process. With an awareness that councils do not have a lot of money to complete that process, will th...
Shona Robison
SNP
Mark Griffin will be aware that we are considering the matter of compulsory sale orders as part of the review, but any new powers will have to be compliant w...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
We welcome this afternoon’s second debate. Although there is much crossover with the previous debate, we are absolutely clear that the faltering housing mark...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Griffin, you need to bring your remarks to a close.
Mark Griffin
Lab
That was clearly caused by the Conservatives’ disastrous mini-budget, which wiped billions of pounds off the value of the economy. We must bear that in mind....
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I apologise for not being in the chamber for the conclusion of the previous debate. I got stuck in a very detailed discussion with Murdo Fraser about whisky ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I do not think that we need any more details, Mr Rennie.
Willie Rennie
LD
I apologise for that. I will start off where Mark Griffin finished. I agree with much of what Miles Briggs said in his opening speech, but he cannot ignore ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. 16:37
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
We do not debate housing often enough in this place—I do not know why; it is perhaps not seen as exciting enough—so to get two debates in one day is really g...
Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
I was surprised to see the Conservatives lodging the motion for this debate when it is their Government in Westminster that is directly impacting the Scottis...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The member is in her last 30 seconds.
Jackie Dunbar
SNP
In relation to the new target of 110,000, 4,927 affordable homes have been delivered. Indeed, this SNP Scottish Government has a track record to be proud of....
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Ms Dunbar, you will need to close.
Jackie Dunbar
SNP
—the SNP Scottish Government is acting to build homes, tackle inequality and better the lives of the people of Scotland.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We have no time in hand. 16:45
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you, Presiding Officer, for the opportunity to speak on this important issue. My casework is inundated with constituents experiencing housing issues, w...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
My colleague Graham Simpson rightly said that housing policy is extremely important—it certainly is. I will concentrate on the economic and geographical mobi...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
It is a basic human right to have a place to call home. It provides shelter, comfort, a sanctuary and identity. You have your own address: “This is where I l...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
The need for affordable energy-efficient homes continues to be a central topic in the Highlands and Islands, so I welcome this opportunity to highlight the p...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
It is a pleasure to speak in this afternoon’s debate. Four minutes is a short time in which to speak about an incredibly important subject. I was a councillo...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the winding-up speeches. 17:06
Mark Griffin
Lab
As I stated earlier, the causes of the lack of housing and homelessness crises have to be borne by both Governments. The disastrous mini-budget will have lon...