Meeting of the Parliament 22 November 2023
Speak through the chair.
We know that the SNP Government failed to meet its 50,000 affordable homes target on time in the previous session of Parliament. We also know that the number of affordable homes approved has reached its lowest level in 10 years, and that social sector new-build starts are 36 per cent down on last year. The social housing sector needs to be a priority. We should not forget the private rented sector, which has seen landlords bailing out and rents rising thanks to Patrick Harvie’s ill-judged rent cap policy.
My amendment merely recognises that legislation is on the way, and we simply suggest that it should be used as an opportunity to change things. If anyone opposes the amendment, they will need to say exactly what the housing bill should be for if it is not to fix things. We have seen little in the way of detail so far about the bill, but it must tackle the issues that I have raised, and it must do something to address the chronic undersupply.
Denying the problem will not fix the problem. Is there a housing emergency? You bet there is a housing emergency.
I move amendment S6M-11351.1, to insert at end:
“, and calls on the Scottish Government to tackle the issues that have caused the current crisis in its forthcoming Housing Bill.”
15:25Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.