Scottish Labour's Bid to Declare Housing Emergency in Scotland Fails at Holyrood

A motion put forth by Scottish Labour to recognize a housing emergency in Scotland has been defeated at Holyrood, with 63 votes against and 51 in favour.

The proposed declaration aimed to mirror actions taken by Argyll and Bute and Edinburgh city councils but faced opposition during the parliamentary session.

Recent statistics, revealing a 10% surge in homelessness assessments in 2022-23, totaling 32,242 households, along with a 6% rise in households, including 9,595 children, residing in temporary accommodation, have heightened concerns. Labour's housing spokesman Mark Griffin criticized the government's handling of the crisis, citing instances of individuals enduring prolonged stays in inadequate accommodations.

However, Housing Minister Paul McLennan emphasized the strain on housing and homelessness services while attributing some challenges to decisions made by successive UK governments. This sentiment was echoed by Scottish Conservative MSP Graham Simpson and Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie, acknowledging both UK and Scottish government responsibilities in addressing the housing crisis.

Despite opposition to the motion, a Living Rent spokesperson emphasized the urgent need for measures like rent caps and continued eviction bans to mitigate the impending housing challenges facing tenants, emphasizing the necessity for decisive action from the Scottish Government.