Meeting of the Parliament 18 June 2025
That point underlines the importance of identifying and remediating RAAC wherever it exists, particularly in mixed-tenure properties.
I turn to some of the solutions on the table for properties in Aberdeen. Aberdeen City Council has engaged with us and with home owners on voluntary sales based on market value, although I understand that that is a concern because the presence of RAAC has diminished the market value of those properties. The council has offered disturbance payments and relocation support, and it has met reasonable legal costs incurred in connection with all of that. I know that the option of roof replacement is also being considered as an alternative to the initial agreed position of demolition and that discussions on that matter between home owners and the council are on-going.
On the Government’s part, my officials have received, and are considering, Aberdeen City Council’s request for the housing infrastructure fund, which has been mentioned, to be repurposed to allow the local authority to support efforts with RAAC. I am currently taking advice on that proposal, and ministers will make a decision on it in due course. I also wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister. RAAC is unquestionably—