SNP MSP for Moray, Richard Lochhead is raising awareness of the challenges posed by housing poverty, and highlighting the difference made by the SNP Government in improving access to housing in Moray.
This week is Poverty Alliance’s Challenge Poverty and housing is the first theme.
The initiative aims to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland and showing the difference that policy interventions can make in alleviating poverty.
Since coming to power in 2007, the SNP has introduced a number of measures to improve the availability of housing in Scotland – including the abolition of Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy scheme, ending fixed-term private lets, and improving tenants’ rights.
The SNP Government has also overseen the construction of 133,409 social and affordable homes across Scotland, since 2007, with over 2250 houses built in Moray.
First Minister John Swinney recently reaffirmed the SNP’s commitment to improving access to affordable housing, by announcing a £600 million investment in the sector this year – including £80 million over two years to bring empty properties back into use.
Commenting, MSP for Moray, Richard Lochhead, said:
“As we mark the start of Challenge Poverty Week, it’s crucial to highlight the difference that having a safe, secure, warm and sustainable home can make in a person’s life.
“Key SNP policies have already made a significant difference, boosting the availability of housing in Moray where we’ve built 2250 new affordable homes – of which 1981 are social housing – since 2007.
“And we are committed to doing more, but progress is being hindered by damaging Westminster policies like the Bedroom Tax and a 9% cut to Scotland’s capital budget.
“While we continue to oppose these policies and further austerity under Labour, the First Minister has announced £600 million for affordable housing, including £80 million to repurpose empty properties; improving the availability of affordable housing in Moray and taking meaningful action to address the housing emergency.”
