Government sidesteps Holyrood defeat on housing crisis.

The Scottish Government managed to avoid a defeat on the issue of failing to address the housing emergency in the country after a vote took place in the Scottish Parliament recently. Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, presented a motion stating that the government has not responded adequately to the housing emergency declared in May 2024. However, this motion was defeated by 60 votes to 54, with eight abstentions.

Instead, an amended motion proposed by housing minister Paul McLennan, which removed the accusation of failure in addressing the emergency, was passed by 59 votes to 55, with eight abstentions. An amendment put forward by the Scottish Conservatives was unsuccessful as well.

Anas Sarwar had urged the government to take responsibility for its housing deficiencies, citing official figures that reveal an increase in homelessness alongside a decrease in the construction of new properties. Recent statistics indicated that a total of 33,619 households in Scotland were homeless in 2023-24, with a record number of children among those in temporary accommodation.

Moreover, the total number of new homes completed by the end of June 2024 had decreased by 17%, with properties built by councils and housing associations dropping by 25% to 5,053. These figures were released following the government’s declaration of a housing emergency earlier in the year.

During the parliamentary debate, Anas Sarwar emphasised the importance of prioritising the needs of the people of Scotland, particularly those without a home or struggling with the prospect of homeownership. He accused the government of failing to tackle the housing emergency adequately, stressing the impact on individuals and families.

In response, housing minister Paul McLennan highlighted the government’s efforts to address the crisis but pointed out the challenges posed by policies at the Westminster level. He called on the Labour UK Government to consider specific measures in the upcoming budget to address the housing situation in Scotland.

Following the vote, the Green Party urged the Scottish Government to take decisive action to tackle the housing emergency. MSP Arianne Burgess emphasised the need for tangible steps to support tenants and households affected by the crisis, advocating for robust rent controls and tenant protection measures.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar expressed disappointment at the government’s response to the housing emergency, highlighting the struggles faced by thousands of people in Scotland. He called for accountability and better outcomes for those affected by the housing crisis.

Overall, the debate in the Scottish Parliament shed light on the pressing issues surrounding housing in Scotland and the need for effective solutions to address the housing emergency.