The Scottish government is poised to declare a national housing emergency. This announcement will be made by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville during a Labour-led debate at Holyrood.
Ms. Somerville is anticipated to attribute the decision to UK government austerity measures and the impact of Brexit. However, UK ministers have countered, stating that the Scottish government receives approximately 25% more funding from Whitehall compared to other regions in the UK.
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The declaration of a housing emergency comes after several councils, including Argyll and Bute, the City of Edinburgh, and Glasgow City, have made similar declarations over the past year, citing rising property prices, high levels of temporary accommodation, and pressure on homelessness services. Fife Council followed suit in March, with West Dunbartonshire declaring an emergency earlier this month.
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In November, the Scottish National Party (SNP) voted against a Labour motion to declare a housing emergency. Since then, the end of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens has left the Scottish government without a majority in Holyrood, facing potential defeat in today’s debate. BBC Scotland News reports that the Scottish Greens have yet to decide their stance on the issue.
First Minister John Swinney told BBC Scotland News: “We aim to reach out to other parties today, recognizing the significant challenge at hand. The government does not have limitless funds, especially with reductions in our capital budget imposed by the UK government.”
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Declaring a housing emergency signals the government’s acknowledgment of the severe housing crisis and calls for the reversal of cuts to its capital budget. However, this declaration does not automatically trigger any practical changes.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville emphasized the need for a collaborative approach between Holyrood, Westminster, and local authorities to tackle the housing issues. She urged MSPs to unite and demand an end to austerity measures, which she claims have caused significant harm nationwide.
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Somerville stated, “We must use all available powers to address the housing situation, which stands as one of the defining issues of our generation.”
