Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said yesterday’s statistics show the need for a rethink of government policies in order to tackle Scotland’s housing crisis. Continue reading Wightman calls for rethink to tackle housing crisis
Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman, whose Homes First campaign aims to regulate the rapid growth of the short-term letting sector, today published examples of legislative change to show how the Scottish Government could help local Councils tackle the problem. Continue reading Short Term Lets: Wightman publishes legislation options to tackle problem
Scotland’s Social Security Bill will now be enshrined with a commitment to reducing poverty after a Green MSP’s amendment was passed by a committee. Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the commitment to reducing poverty means that Scotland will now be better committed to people in need, taking a different approach from the UK government. Continue reading Greens strengthen Social Security Bill
More cash for councils as Greens make their presence felt at Holyrood
The City of Edinburgh Council will receive a significant increase in its funding to the tune of £12.4m after the Scottish Greens secured an agreement for the government to amend the 2018-19 budget. The Greens’ agreement will see £170m more for local council services throughout Scotland, a reversal of all of the £157m of local government cuts proposed by the SNP. Continue reading ‘Leading the change’: Greens take credit for council budget cuts reversal
Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said a report published yesterday by a Scottish Government expert panel falls short of critically analysing the impact of the collaborative economy on individuals and communities in relation to short-term lets.
The Green MSP is calling for local councils to be given powers to control the rapid growth of short-term lets to ease the pressure on already limited housing stock, and address constituents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour and loss of community.
Research for Mr Wightman’s Homes First campaign shows that many landlords are operating lucrative short-term letting businesses, and many are not paying non-domestic rates, depriving local authorities of funding for local services.
Mr Wightman said: “While the report contains some useful evidence and recommendations, those concerning short-term lets are framed very much by what is in the vested interests of the industry, AirBnB in particular. They fail to properly analyse and come up with proposals for the real problem which is the conversion of homes to commercial enterprises, and they are dominated by proposals to experiment, gather data, and explore viability when what is need is action very soon to stop any further loss of homes and community in Edinburgh.”
Andy Wightman, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said figures released yesterday showing that the number of children living in temporary accommodation has risen by 10 per cent over a year prove that the situation is a “national disgrace”. Continue reading Homeless children figures are national disgrace, says Wightman
Scottish Greens Health spokesperson Alison Johnstone has called for further support for practices in areas of high deprivation. The Lothians MSP told a health conference there is a ‘desperate need’ to tackle health inequality in Scotland. Continue reading Johnstone urges fairer GP settlement
Fuel poverty will not be eliminated in Scotland until the government takes action to fix the one in two homes that have issues with weather-tightness and structural stability, says a Green MSP. Continue reading Wightman: Government must act on housing repairs to tackle fuel poverty
Capital-ism: Edinburgh landlords fill their boots while waiting lists grow longer
More than 30 landlords are operating lucrative short term letting businesses in Scotland’s capital, a new report reveals, adding to the pressure on Edinburgh’s housing stock. Continue reading Home truths: Edinburgh’s housing stock depleted by short-term lets
Ahead of today’s Stage One vote at Holyrood on the Social Security Bill, Alison Johnstone MSP, Social Security spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said rising inflation shows the need for the UK Government to scrap the benefits freeze and for the Scottish Government to ensure new devolved benefits increase with the cost of living.
She pressed the issue of uprating devolved benefits at least in line with inflation during committee scrutiny of the Social Security Bill.
A majority of the Social Security Committee has recommended that the Bill includes an annual duty on ministers to consider inflation when setting the rates of devolved benefits.
Inflation means annual household costs are rising 3.1 per cent, but the UK Government continues to keep a range of benefits frozen at 2015 levels, meaning that the real-terms value of many benefits is falling.
Sheffield Hallam University figures show that 700,000 Scots households a year will be worse off to the tune of £450 a year by 2020/21.
Alison Johnstone, Social Security spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Vulnerable members of our communities are struggling with the rising cost of living due to a heartless UK Government that has frozen their financial support. The latest inflation figures show this problem will only get worse but with new devolved powers there’s a chance for Scotland to take a different approach.
“Scottish Ministers have indicated a pay rise for public sector staff that almost matches inflation, following years of real-terms cuts. The same principle must apply to devolved benefits covered by the new Social Security Bill, if we truly believe in a fairer Scotland.”
