£4 billion of housing benefit goes to landlords

Private landlords in Scotland have enjoyed a massive £160 million rise in the amount of public cash they are being paid in housing benefit, it has emerged.

Almost £4 billion has been paid out over the past decade, although the figures have tailed off in recent years as the impact of welfare cuts kick in. Labour said it shows the SNP’S failure to build social homes. Labour housing spokeswoman Pauline Mcneill said: “The SNP’S failure to address the housing crisis is forcing many households into the private rented sector, with sky-high rents meaning public money is going to private landlords.”

A spokesman for housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “The SNP has delivered over 68,000 affordable homes since 2007, and we are on track to deliver at least 50,000 more.”