The SNP is being accused of being “in denial” about their role in the housing emergency that is gripping the nation. Recent figures show homelessness is at a record high in Scotland , while housebuilding has plummeted to a new low. The Scottish Government, along with several local authorities including Edinburgh and Glasgow, has also declared a housing emergency .
Despite this the government maintains it has a “very good track record” when it comes to building affordable homes. During an interview with BBC The Sunday Show, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Although the government has a very good track record in building affordable homes, 40 per cent more per head of population than in England and 60 per cent more than in Wales, there is no doubt more needs to be done. “Whether that’s with councils, housing associations or the private sector, that’s exactly why we declared a housing emergency, to work with our partners in the UK Government and local authorities to rise to that challenge.
” However she maintained the government is constrained by drastic cuts to their capital budget and a 62 per cent reduction in financial transactions, which they say is what is causing housebuilding to stagnate. On the same programme Jennifer Kennedy from Homes for Scotland said it is taking housing developers too long to get planning applications processed by councils. She said: “It should take 16 weeks for a major residential planning application to be.
