Propertymark has urged Scotland’s new First Minister to end the country’s housing emergency following John Swinney’s appointment as leader of the Scottish National Party.
Swinney intends to make housing his priority having blamed Westminster for cuts to Scotland’s housing budget days before his appointment as First Minister.
The news comes following Humza Yousaf’s resignation as the Scottish First Minister which was triggered by the collapse of the 2021 Bute House Agreement after Mr Yousaf terminated the agreement the Scottish National Party had with the Scottish Greens to govern the country.
Under the Bute House Agreement, the Greens’ co-leader, Patrick Harvie, was Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights and led much of the Scottish Government’s agenda for rent control.
From 1 April 2023, the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 meant that rent caps for private tenancies could only increase by 3 per cent up until 30 September 2023, with the choice to extend for an additional six-month period if necessary. Holyrood then voted for a final six-month period to extend the Cost of Living regulations until 31 March 2024.
So far, Harvie has refused to commit to a new coalition arrangement and has instead said he will work with the Scottish National Party on many issues, which means the future of a Housing Bill the Scottish Parliament introduced in March this year to allow local councils to enact rent controls if necessary, is in turmoil.
FRONT AND CENTRE
Timothy Douglas, PropertymarkTimothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, says: “Propertymark congratulates John Swinney on his appointment as the new leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland.
“Tackling the housing emergency in Scotland must be front and centre of his leadership.
“Having previously held senior positions within the Scottish Government, Propertymark member agents will be looking to Mr Swinney to confront the challenges the housing market faces head on.
“We want him to work with the sector to ensure housing plays a positive role in building the economy, improving health and supporting job creation.”
