Scottish Labour plans to build new homes and increase tenants' rights

THE election of a UK Labour government could provide Scotland with the investment it needs to end the housing crisis, Scottish Labour has said.

Housing spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said the party wanted to see 120,000 new council and social homes as well as new rights for tenants renting privately.

She said: “A decade of Tory cuts has left Scotland with housing provision which is not fit for purpose, with rising homelessness and many forced to rely on an exploitative private rented sector. Meanwhile the SNP government has failed to tackle soaring rents and the practices of exploitative landlords.”

Scottish Labour has already set out radical housing proposals in draft legislation for Holyrood, including a cap on annual rent increases in the private sector linked to inflation; a requirement on landlords to register the rent they charge; and ban on tribunals increasing rents.

Ms McNeill said: “Our £10 billion programme would see 120,000 social and council homes built in Scotland over ten years, ensuring that everyone has a safe and affordable home.

“And our Mary Barbour Bill at Holyrood would change the law to empower tenants and limit exploitative landlords’ ability to whack up rents.”