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STV News
4 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Swinney calls for more cash to address housing crisis ahead of spending review
The First Minister has urged the UK Government to take more action and spend more money to address Scotland's housing crisis in the upcoming Spending Review. At least 12 local housing emergencies have been declared across Scotland, with the first declared by Argyll and Bute Council in June 2023. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife and West Dunbartonshire Councils followed suit. The Scottish Government formally declared a national housing emergency on May 15, 2024. The number of people in Scotland living in temporary homeless accommodation is at a record high, according to a report from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). Pressures have also increased on social housing. Speaking ahead of his speech at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations in Glasgow on Tuesday, the First Minister re-emphasised that Scotland 'faces a housing crisis'. He said the Scottish Government is already investing £768m this year in affordable housing, but he's calling for the UK Government to do more. 'We continue to call on the UK Government to provide multi-year funding for housing to give developers and third sector organisations long-term certainty,' Swinney said. 'The UK Government must also commit to unfreezing Local Housing Allowance rates. These rates set the amount that private renters receive to help with rent. Increasing these rates can be a key lever that can help protect tenants. 'Repegging these rates to the 30th percentile of local rents would mean greater security for many households across Scotland.' Swinney's comments have come less than 24 hours before UK chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to present a major UK spending review. The review technically isn't considered a 'fiscal event' – meaning there shouldn't be any detailed tax or spending decisions. However, the chancellor is expect to plot out her public spending plans for the next three years, department by department. It will reveal Labour's priorities, and could see some areas of public spending cut to provide more money to others – like the NHS or defence. It will also chart a course for spending on things like housing. Reeves will reveal the spending review on Wednesday after Prime Minister's Questions at noon. 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
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Council workers in Dumfries and Galloway to vote on strike action over pay dispute
Unison is balloting its members across the country after rejecting the pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Council workers across Dumfries and Galloway are to vote on strike action over a pay dispute. Unison is balloting its members across the country after rejecting the pay offer from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). Officials say the deal represents a three per cent increase for 2025/26. But COSLA says SOMETHING. Unison Scotland co-lead for local government, David O'Connor, said: 'Dedicated council staff have seen the value of their pay fall for more than a decade, as wages failed to keep pace with the cost of living. 'These workers deliver high-quality, vital services to communities, despite increasing pressures, dwindling resources and significant staffing shortages. 'COSLA's offer only adds to the real financial hardship faced by employees, especially with rent, council tax and energy bills continuing to soar. 'Strike action is always a last resort, but local government workers have been underpaid and undervalued for far too long. Cosla and the Scottish government need to step up and offer a decent wage increase that reflects the value if these workers.' Unison members began receiving their ballot papers from Thursday and have until June 12 to cast their vote. A recent consultation indicated more than 90 per cent of workers backed strike action.
