Latest news with #DarrenMcGarvey
The Herald Scotland
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Greens rent controls could have saved tenants £1,000 a year
That differs from the Scottish Government's plan which would see increases limited to the CPI annual rate of inflation plus 1%, up to a maximum increase of 6%. If approved, the cap would apply both to rent increases during the first term of a tenancy and in between tenancies. The amendments will be scrutinised and voted on by the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on Tuesday before being passed on for a wider Holyrood vote. Independent analysis from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) assessed the proposals from the Greens. Under the current system, the average market rent in Scotland in 2019 was £681, soaring to £893 by 2024 - a growth of 31% in five years. But SPICe research suggests that had the Scottish Government model been in place, linking rent to average earnings, it would have been £799 by the end of the 2024 financial year - a 17% rise from 2019. Read more: Darren McGarvey: Fear of elections stop politicians from tackling child poverty The staggering cost of poverty and hardship on Scotland's economy revealed Scottish Government considers exemptions to rent controls Russell Findlay: I don't understand appeal of Nigel Farage and Reform That would have saved renters around £94 each month over the five-year period - slightly more than the proposed method from the Scottish Government which would have resulted in savings of £86 per month, if it was introduced in 2019. In Greater Glasgow, the average market rent at then end of the 2024 financial year was £1,050 - 42% up from £720 in 2019. But under the Scottish Green suggestion, it would have been £877 on average at the end of 2024 - saving renters £173 per year, compared to £154 under the CPI plus 1% proposal from the Scottish Government. Lothian renters, who pay on average the most across the country, would have been paying £272 per month less under the Greens model - £10 less per month than the Scottish Government suggestion. That is down from the £1,358 average in 2024 - the highest across the country. The Scottish Greens said that their amendments would allow councils to put in place lower rent increases, freezes or reductions in areas where rents were already too high. The Housing Bill was a key element of the Bute House Agreement between the Greens and the SNP. Read more: Who is Winston Marshall? Mumford & Sons' ex-banjo player MSPs facing Holyrood de-selection as SNP contests end MacAskill calls on Swinney to take part in independence summit But with the collapse of the government partnership, the Scottish Greens have accused the SNP ministers of rowing back on earlier proposals, with the hikes in rent control areas now to be linked to inflation. Amendments to the Bill from the Scottish Greens also look to ban winter evictions, allowing tenants to withhold rent for poor quality properties and forcing absentee landlords to sell derelict properties for housing. Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: 'Nobody should be put in a position where the lion's share of their income is being spent on paying rent, leaving them with very little left to pay for food, heating and electricity bills, or to simply enjoy their lives. 'All parties agree that we are in a housing emergency, but we need to start acting like it. 'The proposals we have published will ensure a robust system of rent controls that will support tenants and end rip off rents. 'Our proposals would give stability to households and families on the frontline of the crisis, and make sure rents are fairer across the board going forward. 'By tying rents to average earnings, we are establishing an important principle that rent should not rise faster than renters' ability to pay. 'Homes are for living in, not for grotesque profiteering. The Housing Bill was introduced by the Scottish Greens. It gives us the opportunity to transform the broken housing market and protect renters all across our country.' Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Scotland already has some of the strongest rights in the UK for tenants, and we are taking forward measures in the Housing Bill to support the introduction of longer-term rent control where this is needed. 'Supporting tenants is a priority for the Scottish Government. From 1 April 2025, protections continue to be in place against rent increases above market rent for most private tenants and we would encourage tenants to make use of their right to a review of a rent increase where necessary.'
Glasgow Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow broadcaster reveals struggle with alcohol and drugs
Scottish star Darren McGarvey, also known by his stage name Loki, said he used to spend 'vast sums of money' on alcohol, which he says became his 'whole personality'. The author, broadcaster and musician is known for his work on issues such as poverty, addiction, and politics. Having battled his own personal demons in his youth, McGarvey, who was born in Pollok, Glasgow, opened up about addiction on the second episode of Listen Up, a new podcast on recovery launched by Abbeycare. It is an alcohol and drug treatment centre in Erskine, Renfrewshire, where he was previously treated. McGarvey said he turned to drugs and alcohol for several reasons, including to cope with the death of his mother, as well as dealing with the ups and downs of fame. Glasgow broadcaster reveals struggle with alcohol and drugs (Image: Abbeycare/PA Wire) He said his addictions initially stemmed from his desire to cope with his anxiety, prompting him to use alcohol as well as drugs such as Valium and temazepam. During his appearance on the show, McGarvey said his addiction to drink began at the age of 16, shortly after the death of his mother, who was also an alcoholic. READ MORE: 'Street festival' to be held at popular Glasgow shopping centre this weekend He said: 'I got handed a beer after the funeral. It wasn't just the alcohol, it was the whole situation. I was the centre of attention that day. 'I was dressed in a suit, long coat, black tie, being handed a cold beer… all that came together and activated something where I was like, 'Ah, this is what I should be doing'. 'I remember actually going back to school that day… it was like the alcohol provided a suit of armour that I immediately wanted to try out.' In 2013, McGarvey quit drinking and attended college, where he gained a qualification in journalism. In 2017, he released his first book, Poverty Safari, which won the Orwell Prize in 2018. READ MORE: Glasgow's Barras to transform into Hong Kong street market for one weekend However, around the same time, he says his drug use began to spiral out of control, citing an occasion where a scheduled broadcast interview in London was cancelled. He said: 'When that interview got pulled, it felt as if the whole thing had crumbled. It was as if I had failed, and I couldn't cope with it. 'I ran round a Boots pharmacy and bought over-the-counter painkillers with enough codeine in them to take away the feelings that I had.' A year later, after he had been using similar drugs frequently, he checked into Abbeycare's rehabilitation clinic in Erskine, where his recovery journey began. He said: 'It was the first time I had been around ordinary folk for about two years, where I wasn't the keynote speaker, I wasn't special. 'There's no ceremony in there. It was humbling in a way that I needed.' READ MORE: Pair nicked after 'thefts at several properties' in busy area Hosted by Abbeycare's outreach manager Eddie Clarke, the show features a new guest each month who is invited to talk about their first-hand experience of addiction and recovery. It aims to reduce the stigma around drug and alcohol addiction through honest conversations, as well as demonstrating that recovery is possible. Mr Clarke said: 'I first met Darren when he had just checked into rehab with us, so it was brilliant to see how well he is doing now and to have such an honest conversation with him. 'His experiences show that even when people are enjoying great success in their careers, they can still be struggling with unaddressed addictions in the background. 'Given the levels of alcohol and drug-related harm in Scotland, it's more important than ever that we talk honestly about addiction, and that is what our podcast set out to do. 'We hope that people who might be struggling alone will listen and take heart from our guests' stories and insights over the coming months.'
STV News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Darren McGarvey says alcohol was once his ‘whole personality'
A Scottish rapper and activist has told of his plight in battling drug and alcohol addiction, saying he would 'move heaven and earth' in pursuit of his next hit. Darren McGarvey, also known by his stage name Loki, said he used to spend 'vast sums of money' on alcohol, which he says became his 'whole personality'. The author, broadcaster and musician is known for his work on issues such as poverty, addiction, and politics. Having battled his own personal demons in his youth, McGarvey opened up about addiction on the second episode of Listen Up, a new podcast on recovery launched by Abbeycare. It is an alcohol and drug treatment centre in Erskine, Renfrewshire, where he was previously treated. McGarvey said he turned to drugs and alcohol for a number of reasons, including to cope with the death of his mother, as well as dealing with the ups and downs of fame. He said his addictions initially stemmed from his desire to cope with his anxiety, prompting him to use alcohol as well as drugs such as Valium and temazepam. During his appearance on the show, McGarvey said his addiction to drink began at the age of 16, shortly after the death of his mother, who was also an alcoholic. He said: 'I got handed a beer after the funeral. It wasn't just the alcohol, it was the whole situation. I was the centre of attention that day. 'I was dressed in a suit, long coat, black tie, being handed a cold beer… all that came together and activated something where I was like, 'Ah, this is what I should be doing'. 'I remember actually going back to school that day… it was like the alcohol provided a suit of armour that I immediately wanted to try out.' In 2013, McGarvey quit drinking and attended college, where he gained a qualification in journalism. In 2017, he released his first book, Poverty Safari, which won the Orwell Prize in 2018. However, around the same time, he says his drug use began to spiral out of control, citing an occasion where a scheduled broadcast interview in London was cancelled. He said: 'When that interview got pulled, it felt as if the whole thing had crumbled. It was as if I had failed, and I couldn't cope with it. 'I ran round a Boots pharmacy and bought over-the-counter painkillers with enough codeine in them to take away the feelings that I had.' A year later, after he had been using similar drugs frequently, he checked into Abbeycare's rehabilitation clinic in Erskine, where his recovery journey began. He said: 'It was the first time I had been around ordinary folk for about two years, where I wasn't the keynote speaker, I wasn't special. 'There's no ceremony in there. It was humbling in a way that I needed.' Hosted by Abbeycare's outreach manager Eddie Clarke, the show features a new guest each month who is invited to talk about their first-hand experience of addiction and recovery. It aims to reduce the stigma around drug and alcohol addiction through honest conversations, as well as demonstrating that recovery is possible. Mr Clarke said: 'I first met Darren when he had just checked into rehab with us, so it was brilliant to see how well he is doing now and to have such an honest conversation with him. 'His experiences show that even when people are enjoying great success in their careers, they can still be struggling with unaddressed addictions in the background. 'Given the levels of alcohol and drug-related harm in Scotland, it's more important than ever that we talk honestly about addiction, and that is what our podcast set out to do. 'We hope that people who might be struggling alone will listen and take heart from our guests' stories and insights over the coming months.' 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
The Herald Scotland
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Darren McGarvey says alcohol was once his ‘whole personality'
The author, broadcaster and musician is known for his work on issues such as poverty, addiction, and politics. Having battled his own personal demons in his youth, McGarvey opened up about addiction on the second episode of Listen Up, a new podcast on recovery launched by Abbeycare. It is an alcohol and drug treatment centre in Erskine, Renfrewshire, where he was previously treated. McGarvey said he turned to drugs and alcohol for a number of reasons, including to cope with the death of his mother, as well as dealing with the ups and downs of fame. He said his addictions initially stemmed from his desire to cope with his anxiety, prompting him to use alcohol as well as drugs such as Valium and temazepam. During his appearance on the show, McGarvey said his addiction to drink began at the age of 16, shortly after the death of his mother, who was also an alcoholic. He said: 'I got handed a beer after the funeral. It wasn't just the alcohol, it was the whole situation. I was the centre of attention that day. 'I was dressed in a suit, long coat, black tie, being handed a cold beer… all that came together and activated something where I was like, 'Ah, this is what I should be doing'. 'I remember actually going back to school that day… it was like the alcohol provided a suit of armour that I immediately wanted to try out.' In 2013, McGarvey quit drinking and attended college, where he gained a qualification in journalism. In 2017, he released his first book, Poverty Safari, which won the Orwell Prize in 2018. However, around the same time, he says his drug use began to spiral out of control, citing an occasion where a scheduled broadcast interview in London was cancelled. He said: 'When that interview got pulled, it felt as if the whole thing had crumbled. It was as if I had failed, and I couldn't cope with it. Darren McGarvey, also known as Loki, pictured on the new episode of Listen Up (Abbeycare/PA) 'I ran round a Boots pharmacy and bought over-the-counter painkillers with enough codeine in them to take away the feelings that I had.' A year later, after he had been using similar drugs frequently, he checked into Abbeycare's rehabilitation clinic in Erskine, where his recovery journey began. He said: 'It was the first time I had been around ordinary folk for about two years, where I wasn't the keynote speaker, I wasn't special. 'There's no ceremony in there. It was humbling in a way that I needed.' Hosted by Abbeycare's outreach manager Eddie Clarke, the show features a new guest each month who is invited to talk about their first-hand experience of addiction and recovery. It aims to reduce the stigma around drug and alcohol addiction through honest conversations, as well as demonstrating that recovery is possible. Mr Clarke said: 'I first met Darren when he had just checked into rehab with us, so it was brilliant to see how well he is doing now and to have such an honest conversation with him. 'His experiences show that even when people are enjoying great success in their careers, they can still be struggling with unaddressed addictions in the background. 'Given the levels of alcohol and drug-related harm in Scotland, it's more important than ever that we talk honestly about addiction, and that is what our podcast set out to do. 'We hope that people who might be struggling alone will listen and take heart from our guests' stories and insights over the coming months.'
