SNP under attack over ‘housing budget crisis’

Published on Sunday 29 January 2012 00:00

THE SNP is facing pressure over its handling of the housing budget and the length of waiting lists for rented accommodation, amid accusations the party “backtracked” on a manifesto pledge.

Labour said the Scottish Government has cut the housing budget by 40 per cent, while the Conservatives said ministers are missing targets.

The Liberal Democrats obtained figures showing that more than 120,000 housing applicants have been on local authority waiting lists for over a year. The figures, as of last October, also show that more than 81,000 have been stuck on waiting lists for over two years.

Lib Dem housing spokesman Jim Hume wants the SNP to recommit to a pledge to build 6,000 socially rented homes each year. He said: “It is clear that Scotland’s housing crisis requires urgent action from the Scottish Government.

“With over 81,000 households stuck on local authority waiting lists for over two years, ministers need to focus on building more homes for social rent so that these families can finally access a home.

“It has been hugely disappointing to see the Scottish Government move away from its manifesto commitment to build 6,000 socially rented homes each year, replacing it with homes that require an element of purchase.

“There has been growing anger at the backtracking by ministers over recent months.”

Edinburgh has the longest housing application waiting lists of the councils that responded to the freedom of information request.

More than 10,000 applicants have been waiting for over two years while the city council deals with 25,522 in total.

The Lib Dems said the UK Government has made an extra £400 million available for the Scottish Budget since the draft was published in September.

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Ron Greer

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 01:52 PM

There is no housing budget crisis. Thete is only the uncollected billions of land rental value from the land on which the bricks and mortar stand.

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samcoldstream

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 11:51 AM

What are the sums involved? In 2006, during the years of plenty, the Labour Lib-Dem Coalition housing budget for local authorities throughout the country was what can only be described as a paltry £67 million. This year, the Scottish Government, which has cut its housing budget by 41 percent, will still spend £91 million. (Source Shelter website)

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William Forbes

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 10:57 AM

“SNP RENEGES ON MANIFESTO PLEDGE” ============================== hardly news that.

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gus1940

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 08:34 AM

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