Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 19 March 2025
19 Mar 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Temporary Accommodation (Children’s Rights)
I welcome this debate on housing, which follows a few weeks after the publication of Shelter Scotland’s research on children who are living in temporary accommodation. I attended and spoke at its event. The report lays bare some of the stark conditions for children and their families who are living in temporary accommodation, which Mark Griffin mentioned and which, quite frankly, are unacceptable. I agree with him on that point.
It is important to remember that not all temporary accommodation is unsuitable accommodation. However, we know that lengthy stays in temporary accommodation are not good for the health and wellbeing of families.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16844, in the name of Mark Griffin, on children’s rights and temporary accommodation. I invite members wh...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
If you are a mum or dad, or if you have no kids at all, Shelter Scotland’s publication, “In Their Own Words: Children’s Experiences in Temporary Accommodatio...
The Minister for Housing (Paul McLennan)
SNP
I welcome this debate on housing, which follows a few weeks after the publication of Shelter Scotland’s research on children who are living in temporary acco...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Paul McLennan
SNP
I will come back to the member once I am further into my speech, if that is all right. That is why our response to the housing emergency is focused on worki...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
Is the Scottish Government saying that temporary accommodation complies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child’s rules on the human ri...
Paul McLennan
SNP
I will come to that later in my speech. We also know that harm can be caused by the condition of some temporary accommodation. The Scottish Government is c...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Paul McLennan
SNP
Do I have time, Presiding Officer?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
No.
Paul McLennan
SNP
I have raised that issue with Mr Simpson on a number of occasions, and I will try and bring up the issue in my closing speech. We already have a strong set ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I remind members that we are always tight for time in these Opposition debates, as we are today. I call Meghan Gallacher to speak to and move amendment S6M-...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
It has been 10 months since the Scottish Government was forced into declaring a housing emergency. Local councils, of course, followed suit, referencing the ...
Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Meghan Gallacher
Con
I do not have time; I have only four minutes for my speech. The figure of 10,300 should shame the Scottish Government into action, and action is exactly wha...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
I am deeply grateful to Shelter Scotland and the authors of this clear and comprehensive yet heartbreaking report. Just reading it is a harrowing experience....
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
It is really interesting that, in trying to amend Labour’s motion, the Government has lodged an add-on amendment. In effect, it is accepting that there has b...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, Mr Rennie. We move to the open debate. 16:25
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
The report from Shelter Scotland is uncomfortable and depressing reading, but, unfortunately, for many members, it will be unsurprising, and it merely confir...
Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
The SNP Scottish Government is committed to every child having the right to grow up in a safe and comfortable home. In its report, Shelter Scotland states: ...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
It is now nearly a year since the Scottish Government accepted what the rest of us already knew, and declared a housing emergency. It has been a year of miss...
Paul McLennan
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Graham Simpson
Con
No. The minister can come back in later, potentially. Government statistics show us that 15,500 children in Scotland became homeless last year. According to...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is a pleasure to follow Graham Simpson in this very important debate. The voices of Scotland’s children need to be heard. The report “In Their Own Words:...
Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)
SNP
The Shelter report provides us with a clear message on the impact on children and young people who are experiencing life in temporary accommodation. The focu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the closing speeches. 16:46
Maggie Chapman
Green
In closing the debate for the Scottish Greens, I reiterate my thanks to Shelter and to the researchers, children and families who made the report such a valu...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Shelter Scotland’s report can be summed up in one sentence: the SNP has failed Scottish children. Our country is gripped by a housing crisis, which is forcin...
Paul McLennan
SNP
The report that was published earlier this month highlighted the devastating impact that living in poor-quality temporary accommodation can have on children’...
Mark Griffin
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?