Scotland is in the grip of a housing and homelessness crisis.
So it’s outrageous that there are nearly 30,000 homes lying empty across the country. Based on data provided by 30 of the country’s 32 councils under freedom of information requests, 28,000 properties are classed as “long-term vacant” – including thousands empty for five or even 10 years.
In Edinburgh alone, where rents and house prices are through the roof, 3000 homes have lain empty for six months or more, and upwards of 5000 have been empty for more than a decade. At a time when homelessness is at record levels and councils have declared housing emergencies, that is simply astonishing. And appalling.
More than 40,000 people are homeless in Scotland. A record 10,000 kids are living in substandard temporary housing. Rough sleeping is on the rise. That tens of thousands of homes lie empty is an insult to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
Some political will to finally tackle Scotland’s shocking housing emergency must be found and fast. The Liberal Democrats, who obtained this data, say the Scottish Government is guilty of a “massive failure” to address this crisis and they’re not wrong.
SNP ministers took the entirely wrong-headed decision to slash the affordable housing budget earlier this year. Empty homes while thousands don’t have a roof above their head to call their own should be an affront to everybody. It’s past time to get it sorted.
Think it through
The vote in the House of Commons to back a Bill to legalise assisted dying was a historic moment.
Understandably, it has turned into one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged debates British politics has seen in decades. Advocates say a right to die for those suffering in great pain with a terminal diagnosis will bring them comfort. Critics worry about safeguards and what such a fundamental change might mean for the doctor-patient relationship.
The Westminster vote has been welcomed by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, who wants to bring similar legislation to Scotland. But of course this Bill has only passed its first stage in the Commons and more debate and scrutiny is to come, quite rightly.
All sides in this most delicate of discussions must be respected, with an enormous range of views on the subject. Ultimately, whether this goes ahead will be decided by our democratic institutions, and that’s as it should be.
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