SNP Government survives housing emergency vote thanks to Greens support

Labour accused the Greens of giving the SNP Government a "free pass on its record of failure" as a growing number of Scots struggle to keep a roof over their heads

The SNP has avoided an embarrassing defeat at Holyrood on its response to Scotland's housing emergency thanks to support from the Greens.

Labour had tabled a motion which accused the Government of failing to respond adequately to the crisis - but it was voted down 60-54, with eight MSPs abstaining.

It comes after the number of Scots registering as homeless has reached the highest level in more than a decade, while the number of children stuck living in temporary accommodation is at the highest level on record.

Labour has repeatedly called for Paul McLennan, the Housing Secretary, to be sacked as a result.

Anas Sarwar, the party's leader, told MSPs today: "Under this SNP Government, fewer homes being built, targets missed on a yearly basis and homelessness on the rise.

"Every number a human being in need of help and every missed target the breaking of dreams, of hopes and aspirations."

McLennan claimed in response that Labour "did not talk about any ideas whatsoever” to fix the crisis.

“This Government understands the urgency of this crisis and we are using all our powers to address it,” he said.

Speaking after his motion was voted down, Sarwar said: "The responses of SNP ministers to this housing emergency are nothing short of embarrassing. This inept government has completely refused to take responsibility for its shameful record.

"Thousands of Scots are being deprived of their fundamental human right to housing on the SNP’s watch, and families are stuck living in limbo for months and even years on end.

"The Greens’ decision to give the SNP government a free pass on its record of failure is a betrayal of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.

"The Housing Minister cannot stay in post after failing so badly on the basics of his job. John Swinney must stop rewarding failure and demand more from his ministers – because Scotland deserves better than this."

The Greens welcomed a commitment by McLennan to investigate proposals made by Ariane Burgess MSP.

She said: “I welcome the Minister’s commitment to investigate Scottish Green proposals to tackle the crisis, but words are not enough. The kind of actions we have called for are crucial to tackling supporting tenants and households on the frontline of the crisis.

"The human impact of the emergency is all around us. It is the experience of people being evicted from their homes because they can’t afford their rent, the collapse of rural and island communities because they can’t provide housing for families who want to live and contribute there, and the people making their bed on the side of the road.

"The Scottish Greens have long campaigned for the introduction of robust rent controls, and we have been deeply concerned by recent rhetoric from the government around the watering down of the rent control and tenant protection provisions in the upcoming Housing Bill. I believe today is a positive step towards securing these in that landmark bill."

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