Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 May 2024
15 May 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Housing Emergency
I thank the Labour Party for bringing this debate to the chamber.
“The Scottish Government’s strategies for housing and homelessness are failing and any attempt to say otherwise is starting to feel like an attempt to gaslight the Scottish public.”
Those are not my words but those of Shelter Scotland’s director.
Last week, the First Minister stated that he wanted to be honest about where the Scottish Government has been going wrong. I welcome the acceptance that ministers are failing to deliver on housing in Scotland and that Scotland is in a housing emergency.
Sadly, however—we have seen this today—the Scottish Government does not seem to be acting with humility or accepting the policy failures on its watch. Instead, we have more deflection and the usual from the SNP’s playbook—that is, blaming everyone else and not taking responsibility.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-13197, in the name of Mark Griffin, on Scotland’s housing emergency. I would be grateful if members who w...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I ceased to be the owner of a private rented property last summer. Almos...
The Minister for Housing (Paul McLennan)
SNP
I welcome this afternoon’s debate on housing. Before I get into the substance of my contribution, I will say that Mark Griffin knows that I meet him and Mile...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I appreciate that the minister wants to defend the Government’s record, but has that not led us to the position that we are in today, in which the Government...
Paul McLennan
SNP
Context and where we are is important. Interest rates are the highest they have been for a number of years, and that has impacted on the whole sector. Mark G...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Paul McLennan
SNP
I am struggling for time—I have only five minutes—but I would be happy to pick up the issue with the member after the debate. That includes a recent boost o...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I must ask you to conclude, minister.
Paul McLennan
SNP
We will invite local authorities and associations to revisit their allocations policies and check that they remain fit for purpose during this housing emerge...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must conclude, minister.
Paul McLennan
SNP
—take stock of what has been achieved and agree what more can be done to tackle the housing emergency. I move amendment S6M-13197.3, to insert at end: “and...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We are very tight for time this afternoon. I call Miles Briggs to speak to and move amendment S6M-13197.2. 16:22
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I thank the Labour Party for bringing this debate to the chamber. “The Scottish Government’s strategies for housing and homelessness are failing and any at...
Paul McLennan
SNP
The member is talking about taking responsibility. Does he accept that the 9 per cent cut in the capital budget impacts on what we can do in Scotland?
Miles Briggs
Con
Housing policy in Scotland has been devolved for 25 years, and 17 of those years have been under this SNP Government. The Government’s motion desperately tri...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
Circumstances have changed, with 10 local authorities covering nearly half the population either at or close to crisis point. Close to 10,000 children are st...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Ariane Burgess
Green
I am sorry, but I am really short on time and I have a lot to cover. That constituent’s household includes people with key roles in social care, the local m...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must wind up, Ms Burgess.
Ariane Burgess
Green
—without taxing those who are most able to afford it. 16:30
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
When I read the Government’s amendment this morning, I thought that we might be getting somewhere. However, I am sorry that the minister’s speech was almost ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Shirley-Anne Somerville)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Willie Rennie
LD
I am afraid that I have only 50 seconds left. That is the first thing that needs to be recognised. The second one is that we need to be cautious and take an...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the open debate. 16:34
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I have a one-sixth share in a family home. The lack of housing is the single biggest i...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
This is one of those times when you stand up and give a completely different speech from the one that you had originally intended to give. However, the point...
Miles Briggs
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I will gladly give way to Mr Briggs.
Miles Briggs
Con
Where does the member think that the Scottish Government has gone wrong?
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I think that the Scottish Government has largely done things right, but there are things that we should have pushed much more for. Let us look at what Rhoda ...