Tackling housing problem

New Act launched

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has announced a range of policies he claims will help tackle North Lanarkshire’s housing problem.

In his first speech as party head, the Central Scotland MSP revealed that work has begun on a new law to better regulate the private rented sector.

Mr Leonard says the people of Airdrie and Coatbridge will be among those to benefit from the Rent Restrictions Act, dubbed ‘The Mary Barbour law’ after the renowned social reformer, with more than 11,000 North Lanarkshire residents on the housing waiting list.

The Act will restrict the ability of private landlords to “raise rents at a whim and with little or no notice or justification”.

Mr Leonard said: “I passionately believe a home is a basic fundamental human right. That is why a future Scottish Labour Government would ensure access to a safe, secure, habitable and affordable home.

“It is a government’s obligation to the people to guarantee that everyone can exercise this right to live in security, peace and dignity.

“In North Lanarkshire there are over 11,000 people on the housing waiting list – yet there are only 36,500 council houses in total.

“The council is the largest provider of council housing in the whole country with plans to build an additional 1800 council houses.

“These figures demonstrate the need for a new generation of council housing; people need more council houses and more done to tackle rip-off rents and agency fees.”