Chamber
Plenary, 18 Jun 2008
18 Jun 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme
I am sure that, if what Ms Baker says were the case, the Government would look into it, but I am not sure that it is the case. I am sure that the minister will respond to Ms Baker's point when he winds up the debate.
What safeguards are in place to ensure that the agencies that act as arbitrators do not have a conflict of interests? One scheme that is run by My Deposits Ltd—which previously traded under the name of Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd—is sponsored by the National Landlords Association. That leaves cases open to the possibility of decisions in favour of landlords. Would not it make more sense for more stringent landlord regulation to be introduced before forcing a new deposit scheme into practice?
Students and recent graduates are named specifically in the motion as being most at risk of falling foul of the lack of protection for tenants. I acknowledge that student debt has reached £2 billion, but I also note that that is the legacy that Labour left behind, due to its record on student finance. Individual debt is declining under the SNP—from £11,416 under Labour in 2006, to £10,947 under the SNP in 2007. The state that the United Kingdom Government has got the economy into—as well as the credit crunch from the United States—also contributes to the high levels of debt in Scotland.
Perhaps the Labour Party should concentrate on safeguarding the country's financial services before trying to pass on to the SNP Government problems that Labour could have dealt with. The SNP Government is committed to helping the people of Scotland.
What safeguards are in place to ensure that the agencies that act as arbitrators do not have a conflict of interests? One scheme that is run by My Deposits Ltd—which previously traded under the name of Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd—is sponsored by the National Landlords Association. That leaves cases open to the possibility of decisions in favour of landlords. Would not it make more sense for more stringent landlord regulation to be introduced before forcing a new deposit scheme into practice?
Students and recent graduates are named specifically in the motion as being most at risk of falling foul of the lack of protection for tenants. I acknowledge that student debt has reached £2 billion, but I also note that that is the legacy that Labour left behind, due to its record on student finance. Individual debt is declining under the SNP—from £11,416 under Labour in 2006, to £10,947 under the SNP in 2007. The state that the United Kingdom Government has got the economy into—as well as the credit crunch from the United States—also contributes to the high levels of debt in Scotland.
Perhaps the Labour Party should concentrate on safeguarding the country's financial services before trying to pass on to the SNP Government problems that Labour could have dealt with. The SNP Government is committed to helping the people of Scotland.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S3M-1865, in the name of Claire Baker, on a tenancy deposit protection scheme for Scotland...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament is concerned that the withholding of deposits unreasonably continues to be a problem for tenants in the private rented sector; notes that...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I am delighted to speak on tenancy deposit schemes in my maiden members' business debate. It is always a pleasure to be involved in a debate about a matter o...
Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD):
LD
I apologise, Presiding Officer, as I may have to leave before the end of the debate. The debate is important and is on an issue on which several members, par...
Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I thank Claire Baker for bringing the debate to the Parliament. The issue is important to many people and this is an important time to conduct the debate, gi...
Claire Baker:
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Stuart McMillan:
SNP
May I just make some progress first? Thank you.The scheme in England and Wales has been in operation for only one year, and no formal evaluation has yet been...
Claire Baker:
Lab
I believe that enough research—by the NUS, Shelter and other organisations—has been carried out to allow the Government to make progress.A circular was issue...
Stuart McMillan:
SNP
I am sure that, if what Ms Baker says were the case, the Government would look into it, but I am not sure that it is the case. I am sure that the minister wi...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I, too, must apologise for having to leave before the end of the debate.I congratulate Claire Baker on securing tonight's debate. Scottish Conservatives full...
Robert Brown:
LD
That is fine for the good landlords. Does the member have a remedy for the bad landlords, which is where the issue arises?
Jamie McGrigor:
Con
I will come to that in my conclusion.I acknowledge the concerns that lie behind Claire Baker's motion, but ministers should tread with caution before burdeni...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing this important debate. I was president of the Scottish Union of Students almost 40 years ago and failure to return de...
Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing this debate on a tenant deposit protection scheme, which I am sure that most of us would agree is an important subjec...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate. In doing so, I reflect on the frustrations of falling on hard times, since the words that were quoted ear...
Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing this worthwhile debate.As several members have remarked, everyone has an anecdote about someone whose rent deposit wa...
The Minister for Communities and Sport (Stewart Maxwell):
SNP
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate.I listened carefully to the debate and appreciate members' concerns about the impact that unfairly withhel...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
I am concerned that the minister suggested that the Government is inhibited by the timescale for the evaluation of the schemes in England and Wales. Is it no...
Stewart Maxwell:
SNP
I will come to many other points, but the fact is that the scheme in England has not been formally evaluated. Many members said that it is a shining example ...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
I may have the wrong information, so will the minister clarify when the group last met and when it will meet again?
Stewart Maxwell:
SNP
The group last met in June last year. A meeting was offered to the group in September, but its members decided that they could deal with the issues at hand t...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
Will the minister give way?
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
The minister is just winding up.
Stewart Maxwell:
SNP
Jamie McGrigor said that there was only a 2 per cent dispute rate in England. That is true, but only two thirds of landlords have joined the scheme. I sugges...
Meeting closed at 18:29.