SNP Pledge to Build 50,000 Affordable Homes In Next Parliament

The SNP has described the Tory government’s housing policies as a “further drain” on social housing stock – in complete contrast to the Scottish Government’s approach north of the border.

A report published today (Wednesday) by the Communities and Local Government committee disagrees with the UK government’s proposals to fund the Right to Buy scheme with the proceeds from the sale of high value council homes.

 The committee report also raises concerns that the UK government’s housing policies could have a “detrimental effect” on the provision of affordable housing and that the provision of social housing in rural areas needs to be addressed in order to protect rural communities.

Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP, who is a member of the Communities and Local Government committee, said:

“The SNP wants everyone to have a safe, warm and affordable home – it is a fundamental to our wellbeing and also central to how Scotland can become a fairer and more prosperous country.

“By scrapping the Right to Buy scheme, the SNP in Government will ensure that 15,500 homes will remain in the social sector over the next decade which is in sharp contrast to the Tories proposals to sell off thousands more social homes – further draining the social housing stock in England.

 “The Scottish Government is on track to meet its housing targets with 30,000 affordable homes built by March 2016, with 20,000 of those for social rent.  If the SNP are re-elected next May, the target will be even higher with at least 50,000 new affordable homes built in the next parliament, a commitment worth more than £3 billion.”