In a speech today, UK Labour Chancellor makes it very clear that their housing strategy is based entirely on private investment and, of course, subsequent private sector costs for decades to come.
Yet, in the Daily Record today;
Labour MSP Mark Griffin said: “Scotland is in the grips of a housing emergency, but the SNP’s response has been woeful.
“At a time when we need urgent action to boost housebuilding, the SNP has slashed the affordable housing budget and is gearing up to ditch its flagship affordable housing target.
“Rachel Reeves is leading the way with Labour’s transformative plans to boost housebuilding in England – the SNP must raise its game and match this level of ambition in Scotland.”
It’s the sort of thinking to cause migraines. Labour’s ‘transformative plan’ is just to demand private investment and to encourage that by slashing planning constraints but the Scottish Government must spend more of its tax revenues on the same thing?
Easier planning permission for housebuilders? Watch what happens – more building on flood plains, small town facilities overwhelmed by massive peripheral estates.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
The private house builders only build the type of houses that sells in that area and yields the highest profits on their investment.
With no council houses being financed by the UK Government venture capital companies will commission blocks of flats from housebuilders.
Local authorities will be forced to sign long term leased for these blocks of flats with finance companies to provide permanent housing for the people trapped in sub standard accommodation in the private sector.
Labour has fallen at the first hurdle their lack of a housing policy will lead to a new PFI investment, more crippling debt for local authorities and no improvement in the quality of life for those suglffering in the worst housing conditions.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Westminster restricts Scotlands budget. Scotland paying for war in UKraine, HS2, tax evasion. Brexit has cost £Billions. There would be more monies for house building, SNHS, Education etc if not for Westminster poor, bad decisions. Scotland needs Independence to fulfil its potential.
Scotland population has gone up 0.4million since 2000 Devolution. Why is there a housing crisis? Austerity. The unionists did not build any.
Scottish Gov building or renovating 6,000 affordable houses a year. Private builders building 17,000 a year. 50,000+ people dying. More houses become available.
LikeLiked by 1 person