Labour Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack has today challenged the Scottish Government to finally intervene in Edinburgh’s housing emergency.
This comes after recent ONS figures illustrated the scale of Edinburgh’s crisis.
The figures revealed that the average rent in Edinburgh had an annual increase of 14.9%, almost 5% higher than the 10.9% increase across the whole of Scotland.
This is despite the Scottish Government having introduced a rent cap.
The average house price has also risen faster in Edinburgh, compared to the country as a whole.
The average price jumped 5.4% compared to last year, whereas it only rose 4.8% across all of Scotland.
These figures come after Edinburgh Council unanimously declared a housing emergency at the tail end of last year.
However, the Scottish Government refused to follow suit and voted down plans to declare a nationwide housing emergency.
Commenting on the ONS figures, Ms Boyack said: “These latest ONS figures have merely illustrate what we in Edinburgh have known all along – there is a serious housing emergency.
“The only Edinburgh resident who doesn’t recognise this crisis is the one living in Bute House.
“The decision by the SNP, not to intervene to alleviate this situation shows their neglect for our capital city.
“Myself and other Scottish Labour MSPs will continue to push the Scottish Government to act.
“It is vital that Edinburgh gets the help it urgently needs, before this emergency escalates any further.”