Latest news with #AlisonWatson
The Herald Scotland
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish housing emergency one year on: 'There is no credible plan'
In the last 12 months, homelessness has risen. Social housebuilding has fallen. Our study with YouGov found 2.3 million adults struggling with the condition, security, suitability, or affordability of their home, or facing discrimination when trying to find one. Behind these statistics are families living in fear. Children growing up without space, safety, or dignity. All while John Swinney vows to end child poverty. But child poverty cannot be tackled without ending child homelessness. And the latest Programme for Government fails to offer either a plan or the investment to do so. It is now clear: there is no credible plan to deliver 110,000 homes and no serious effort to cut the number of households stuck in temporary accommodation. We need a Programme for Housing. What we got was a Programme for Homelessness. Read more on Scotland's Housing Emergency: Despite systemic failures in homelessness services across Scotland, there is no commitment to ramp up social housebuilding, no expanded budget, and no real investment in services to prevent more people falling into homelessness. Politicians are failing in their duty. They look away as wave after wave of families fall through the cracks. We know what it means for families to live in overcrowded, unsafe homes - to be unable to host a friend, to live in fear, to be isolated. We now have evidence of the profound harm this does to children's development and mental health, casting a shadow long into their future. We don't need more excuses. We need a Housing Emergency Action Plan - with clear, concrete targets, proper funding, and a genuine commitment to affordable, secure, permanent homes. Not a plan that shuffles people from one crisis to another. As the Scottish General Election approaches, every political party has a choice to make continue treating housing as a second-tier issue or rise to the challenge and put it where it belongs - at the centre of the agenda. Voters have power, too. We can demand more. We can ask the hard questions. We can refuse to accept that this is the best Scotland can do. Because everyone deserves more than just a roof over their head. Everyone deserves safety, stability, peace. It has been a year. If our politicians won't treat the housing emergency like the emergency it is, then we must. It is time to say: enough is enough. If those in power won't act, then it's up to all of us to speak out, stand up, and fight for the right to a home. Alison Watson is a director at Shelter Scotland.
STV News
23-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Scottish councils getting less money for housing despite emergency
Nearly all councils in Scotland are getting less money for social housing this year than they did four years ago, despite the Government declaring a national housing emergency in 2024. Scottish Government data shows that councils received £64.2m less cash for the affordable housing supply programme than they did in 2021/22. Four years ago, Scotland's 32 local authorities divvied up the £724.3m fund from Holyrood to build new affordable houses. This year, councils are splitting £660.1m between themselves. With inflation, the real terms cash cut for the programme is likely to be even higher. Edinburgh is the only local authority that will see its budget rise – from £52.4 million to £59.4 million – amid an acute housing crisis in the region. Money for the other 31 councils will fall. Highland Council saw the steepest drop in funding. In four years, they have lost nearly £7m worth of funding from the affordable housing supply programme. The reductions come a year after the Scottish Government declared a national housing emergency, and despite ministers reversing £200m in budget cuts to the housebuilding scheme. Shelter Scotland said that while it welcomed the improved funding settlement, councils are still seeing less from the Scottish Government than they did four years ago. Alison Watson, director of the Shelter Scotland charity, said it is time for Scotland's politicians 'to be frank with the nation'. 'There is no plan to end the housing emergency,' she said. 'It has been a year since a national housing emergency was declared by the Scottish Parliament, but almost all local authorities continue to have less money to spend on new social homes than they did in 2021/22.' Ms Watson added that the current Housing Bill in Parliament 'will not reduce rent, will not make it easier to build social housing and will not inject more cash into services to prevent homelessness'. She said it 'cannot be the answer' to Scotland's housing problems. She said Scotland needed a 'programme for housing, from the Government, not a programme for homelessness'. However, Scotland's housing minister, Paul McLennan and social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville have both defended the SNP Government's position on housing. McLennan claimed the Government has 'increased the affordable housing supply programme budget by £200m' this year to support local authorities on homelessness and temporary accommodation pressures. 'Local authorities will also be provided with £15 billion this financial year for a range of services, including in homelessness services,' he said. 'There is also an additional £4 million invested in the Ending Homelessness Together budget for 2025-26 to help local authorities, frontline services, and relevant partners prepare for the new prevention measures in the Housing Bill and to help them to respond to the housing emergency by preventing homelessness before it occurs.' During a statement to Parliament on Thursday, Somerville also emphasised that the Scottish Government was investing £768m to build 8,000 social and mid-market rent homes. She told MSPs: 'We are making progress, but we know that there is much more yet to do as we move into our next phase of our response. 'That is why the latest programme for government reiterated our commitment to the delivery of the 110,000 affordable homes target by 2032.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
SNP Government has 'no plan' to end Scotland's housing emergency as spending on affordable homes drops
A leading housing charity blasted John Swinney's Government and said it was time for ministers to be "frank" with the public. The SNP Government has been accused of having "no plan" to end Scotland's housing emergency after spending on affordable housing dropped across the country. Shelter, a leading charity working to end homelessness, said 31 out of 32 local authorities are set to receive less cash for social homes this year than in 2021-2022. The move comes despite John Swinney's Government reversing a previous £196m cut to its affordable housing budget following a campaign by this newspaper and various housing charities and organisations. Official data shows Edinburgh City Council is the only local authority to see an increase in its resource planning assumptions (RPA) when compared with four years ago. RPA is the amount of money allocated to each local authority from the Scottish Government's Affordable Housing Supply Programme. It's used to buy and build affordable homes, with 70 per cent of the budget earmarked for social homes provided by councils and housing associations. Shelter Scotland warned the trend showed spending remains lower – even in cash terms - than at the start of this parliament. Alison Watson, the charity's director, said: "It is time for Scotland's politicians to be frank with the nation. There is no plan to end the housing emergency. 'It has been a year since a national housing emergency was declared by the Scottish Parliament, but almost all local authorities continue to have less money to spend on new social homes than they did in 2021/22. "We need radical action from our politicians. As 2.3 million adults in Scotland are impacted by the housing emergency, it is crucial that the Scottish Government sets out a plan as to how it will end the emergency." Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Social Justice Secretary, said: "This year, the Scottish Government is investing £768m to support the delivery of 8,000 homes for social and mid-market rent and low-cost home ownership. "We have also announced a £4m homelessness prevention funding and £2m to increase the scale and pace of privately owned empty homes being returned to use."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Guernsey bike ride-out in son's memory will be emotional'
A ride-out of motorbikes, e-bikes and pushbikes is being planned to mark five years since a local man took his own McGlynn was 19 when he died in May 2020, and his mother Alison Watson said she was hoping to raise awareness of mental health issues and suicide also said they hoped the event on Sunday 18 May would also raise money for Guernsey Mind. A ride out was put on in October 2020 to mark Morgan's first birthday since his passing, with around 130 vehicles attending. 'I miss his smile' Remembering her son five years on from his death, Mrs Watson said Morgan was "very funny".She said: "It was during [the Covid-19] lockdown, when all the TikTok dances were coming out and we tried doing them, we did have some laughs."He was a lovely lad, he really was; and it's awful that he felt he had to do what he did when he was only 19."Looking back at some of her favourite times with Morgan, Mrs Watson spoke about a family holiday to Cornwall."I remember [the kids] doing zip wires through the trees and I have a photograph of him with the biggest smile on his face. And also running through [L'Ancresse] common with his step day and just big smiles all over his face."I miss his smile. I really miss his smile." The aftershock of Morgan's death had an impact on the family, who have all been to counselling since, she said: "[Mine and my husband's] counsellor had been through it herself, so she understood. "We try as a family to make sure we do things together and we just try to make a point of remembering him."I set a place for him at the table on Christmas and, on his birthday, I buy him a birthday cake. I work in a supermarket and I will talk about him." The ride-out is due to start at Guernsey Pearl, Rocquaine Bay, at 11:00 BST and end at the Beach House, will ride through L'Eree and Town, while bicycles and e-bikes will travel along Vazon and L'Islet."Anyone out there who has a bike, a pushbike, or an electric bike, please come down and join us, it means so much," Mrs Watson asked about Morgan's legacy, she said it was "bittersweet"."I miss him. It's going to be emotional, I have to do it for him," she added. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or have been affected by Alison's story, you can find help and support on the BBC Action Line website.
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
FM faces backlash over 'disappointing' plans on affordable homes
Delivering his programme for government, Mr Swinney told MSPs his plans would include 'investment in thousands of new homes', however, both Shelter Scotland and the Scottish Federation Of Housing Associations have said there is an 'urgent need' for quicker and bolder action. The legislative plans include more rights and stronger protections for tenants as well as a re-announced promise to deliver more than 8,000 affordable homes, including for social and mid-market rent. They also promise to remove barriers on stalled building sites 'with the potential to deliver up to 20,000 new homes'. However, Shelter Scotland believes the plans are not sufficient to tackle Scotland's national housing emergency which was declared a year ago. Shelter Scotland Director Alison Watson said: 'It is disappointing to hear the Programme for Government today, which lacked crucial detail about how the Scottish Government plans to tackle the housing emergency. 'While we welcome the continuation of the plans which have already been announced, this is simply not enough. 'We are coming up to a year since a national housing emergency was declared. The situation is deteriorating across the country with a record high number of children trapped in temporary accommodation. 'There are still no significant increases in plans for social home building, extra budgets or investment in housing services to prevent more people becoming homeless.' Read more: Scotland housing charities urge Swinney commit to homebuilding pledge Ms Watson added: 'Shelter Scotland wanted a programme for secure homes, but all we have is a programme for homelessness.' In a debate after the FM delivered a statement on his legislative plans to the parliament, Scottish Labour's Mark Griffin claimed the government has so far failed to get Scotland 'anywhere near' their target of building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. His comments after The Herald reported that Scottish housing charities had written to the First Minister urging him to make a pledge to build more homes in his programme for government which he did not commit to. The MSP added: 'The 8,000 re-announced in the programme for government won't be enough to get that target back on track which I isn't a surprise given that the huge housing budget cut was only partially restored this year. 'Can I ask the First Minister, in line with pleas made by Shelter and Homes for Scotland, to pledge to build the homes we all need or will the 110,000 affordable homes target be another broken promise.' The First Minister responded to Mr Griffin, stating that the housing budget is 'higher than it was' in the previous year, adding that they have 'remedied that particular issue'. Mr Swinney said: 'I would just encourage the Labour party to accept the facts and move on, find something else to talk about, find something else to moan given that we've addressed the issue about the budget that we've put in place. 'In Scotland, we have delivered more affordable houses per head of population than in England or in Wales in the face of austerity. The legislative agenda also included a pledge to deliver the Heating in Buildings aimed at reducing carbon emissions by installing clean heating systems by 2045 - a move welcomed by the SFHA. However, they believe the government could be delivering much bolder action overall. Responding to the First Minister's plans, SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas said: 'The First Minister is right to acknowledge the concern of people unable to find affordable housing: this is an issue that is rapidly rising up the public agenda. "With nearly a quarter of a million people across Scotland currently on a waiting list for a social home, and a housing emergency declared almost a year ago, it was vital that today's Programme for Government set out coherent action to increase the provision of affordable rented homes. "The measures announced today are welcome, but don't go far enough to tackle Scotland's dire situation on housing. 'A decent, stable home is the foundation of the fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland the First Minister wants to build. So we are glad to see continued ambition to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. But for this to have any chance of becoming a reality, the Scottish Government must quickly set out multi-year funding commitments, so that our members can plan with confidence to build much-needed homes. 'We are disappointed that there is still no commitment to exempt Mid Market Rent homes from private rented sector rent controls. This type of housing is highly valued by younger people and professionals in particular, but it may become unviable unless the government amends the Housing Bill. 'It is reassuring to see commitment to a Heat in Buildings Bill. But we need certainty on the targets our members will need to meet, as well as a fair and equal approach to the standards required of every housing tenure, including home ownership and private rent. And we had urged government to provide a clear pathway to funding on removing unsafe cladding: we can't allow this burden to fall on social tenants. 'A warm, secure, affordable home is the foundation of all our lives, and while this Programme for Government recognises that, there is an urgent need for quicker, bolder action if we are to end the national housing emergency.'
