Protection for Council Housing Under SNP Government Highlighted
>> 12 July 2012
Aberdeenshire Council SNP Group Housing spokesperson Cllr Anne Allan (Peterhead North & Rattray) has highlighted new figures which show a dramatic reduction in the number of council homes being lost to the socially rented sector since the SNP came to power.
In 2006/07, 16,262 socially rented homes were lost to the sector through the right to buy - compared to 3,744 in 2010/11.
Since taking office the SNP Government has been responsible for sparking a new generation of council house building, with sharp increases in the amount of construction underway – greatly helped by abolishing the right to buy for new council tenants.
Commenting, Cllr Anne Allan said:
In 2006/07, 16,262 socially rented homes were lost to the sector through the right to buy - compared to 3,744 in 2010/11.
Since taking office the SNP Government has been responsible for sparking a new generation of council house building, with sharp increases in the amount of construction underway – greatly helped by abolishing the right to buy for new council tenants.
Commenting, Cllr Anne Allan said:
“These figures show the step change that has taken place since the SNP Government came to power. We have been determined to address the shamefully long waiting lists that people have faced to get council houses which we inherited.
“To do that we have reduced the amount of homes being lost to the socially rented sector and increased the amount of council homes being built.
“The fact that there has been a massive reduction in the number of socially rented homes that are being lost to the sector is something we should all welcome. Before the SNP took office, Scotland was haemorrhaging social homes with almost no council homes built to replace them.
“Reducing the level of housing stock being lost to local authorities has played a key part in enabling councils to start construction on a new generation of council homes."
Aberdeenshire Council Social Work & Housing Committee member Cllr Geva Blackett (Aboyne, Upper Deeside & Donside) added:
"The Scottish Government is currently consulting on introducing further changes to the right to buy, which I would encourage as many people as possible to participate in.
“The SNP Government has committed to deliver 30,000 affordable homes over the lifetime of this parliament. That is a hugely important step forward which will see modern, high quality socially rented homes built across the country.”
