Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 May 2024
15 May 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Housing Emergency
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 that remains is that, if any individuals or families do not have a roof over their heads, that is an emergency and a crisis, and Governments—whether that is local government, the UK Government or the Scottish Government—should take cognisance of that.
Ariane Burgess made the most important point in the debate so far. It was about collective action and shared responsibility. The UK Government, local government and the Scottish Government have responsibility for getting this absolutely right. I do not agree with some of the speakers who have said that, if the Scottish Government used all the tools at its disposal, that would ensure that we did better, because we have to be realistic—we do not control all the political and financial tools that we need to resolve some of the difficulties.
We heard about the disastrous Liz Truss mini-budget.
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 ...