Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 13 September 2023
13 Sep 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Short-term Lets Licensing Scheme
The point that I wanted to make in a further intervention was that Mr Fraser did not mention the 23-year high in completions that the Scottish Government has brought forward. If we are going to talk about impacts on house building, all that we need to look at are the interest rates and construction inflation that the Conservative Government has brought about. I wanted to touch on that and put it on the record.
I want to put on the record, as my colleagues have previously done in the chamber, my unwavering support for the many excellent businesses that provide short-term let accommodation in Scotland. In recent years, the industry has grown significantly, which has brought about an increased range of choice for visitors and a boost for regional economies—the ripple effect of good business supporting good business.
However, for well over five years, all parties across the chamber have urged us to take action to regulate the growth of short-term lets, noting that growth and good quality do not always go hand in hand. There has also been increasing concern among members and in wider society about the impact on communities, which I am sure we will hear about later.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-10411, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on pausing the short-term lets licensing scheme. I invite those membe...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
The tourism sector is vitally important for Scotland. It is the largest part of our economy in terms of employment and is particularly important in remote an...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I think that the member is right about those who might be making that choice, but many operators simply do not know that the regulation applies to them. When...
Murdo Fraser
Con
Mr Johnson is absolutely correct to raise that issue. As of August, 84 per cent of short-term lets had not applied for a licence. That suggests that there is...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Does the member agree that the Government is wilfully ignoring the very real fears of those operating in the short-term lets sector? Is he aware of the case ...
The Minister for Housing (Paul McLennan)
SNP
That—Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Excuse me. The minister would be intervening on the member, not on me.
Murdo Fraser
Con
I should say to the minister—I will give way to him in a second—that I met Linda last week and the story that she told me was actually even worse than the on...
Paul McLennan
SNP
I met the constituent who was mentioned and agreed to try to help them. I asked for additional information, which was never received. That is noted. That is ...
Murdo Fraser
Con
Well, there was no apology there from the minister to Linda for his member of staff telling her that she can go on benefits because this Government is going ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Members— Paul McLennan rose—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr McLennan, please take your seat. I was just reminding members—Interruption. Minister, please resume your seat. I remind members that they should be liste...
Murdo Fraser
Con
I will happily take another intervention if I have time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I am afraid that you do not have time to take another intervention, but you have a bit of latitude as you have already taken three interventions. You are ove...
Murdo Fraser
Con
Thank you. I apologise to the minister as I am not permitted to take his further intervention, but we will hear from him in a moment. No one in this debate ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, Mr Fraser. I advise that we have some time in hand at the moment. Therefore, where interventions are taken, I have a bit more latitude to give tim...
The Minister for Housing (Paul McLennan)
SNP
The point that I wanted to make in a further intervention was that Mr Fraser did not mention the 23-year high in completions that the Scottish Government has...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Paul McLennan
SNP
I will once I have made some progress. The introduction of licensing safeguards the role that short-term lets play in our economy by providing assurance to ...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister give way?
Paul McLennan
SNP
I want to make some progress first. I will take an intervention in a second. I also want to make it clear that, although there are thousands of good-quality...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
It is important that we have clarity in the terms of the debate. At the beginning of his speech, the minister talked about tackling the growth in short-term ...
Paul McLennan
SNP
Of course. There are short-term let control areas, which I will touch on later. That is part of the much broader debate, but we are talking about licensing, ...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Paul McLennan
SNP
At this point, I ask the member to let me make some progress. Local authorities stand ready to support applicants, having already accommodated a six-month d...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
It was about growth.
Paul McLennan
SNP
I ask the member to let me complete the point. He was shot down by his Labour councillor colleagues. Every single Labour colleague had a go at him in that re...
Miles Briggs
Con
The minister talks about colleagues. His Scottish National Party colleague Tommy Sheppard has said: “This isn’t about home sharing—where people let out thei...
Paul McLennan
SNP
Thank you, Mr Briggs. You will remember, as you were part of that committee at the same time, that I had spoken to the festivals about that issue before I be...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Minister, you need to speak through the chair. Otherwise, you are referring to me, and I had nothing to do with it.