Housing emergency declaration must signal the start of change - David Alexander

The Scottish Government has at last recognised the scale of the crisis – now it needs to take action, writes David Alexander

The Scottish Government’s announcement of a housing emergency across all of Scotland is a belated recognition of the many problems facing the sector in Scotland. This is welcome but it must be the start of action and not simply an excuse for blaming Westminster or Brexit for the current situation. This must be an announcement which produces action and starts the first steps in addressing the housing problems which have beset Scotland for many years now.

This should be an opportunity to mend the toxic relationship which the Scottish Government has had with the private rented sector and with housebuilding itself. This is a chance to grow the housing market with more homes to buy, and to rent in both the private and social rented sectors.