IT IS TIME FOR ACTION

Action expected as the homeless crisis worsens

- PAUL HUTCHEON

A NATIONAL housing emergency will be declared today by John Swinney’s government after an outcry over the impact of funding cuts on children and families. 

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will confirm the move after figures revealed 10,000 kids are languishing in temporary accommodation.

The Daily Record has led the way in exposing the heartbreaking impact of the crisis around Scotland.

Homelessness is at record levels, with 30,724 open applications recorded – a rise of 10 per cent.

Private rental prices rose by 6.8 per cent in the 12 months to January and housebuilding has slumped.

The administration of Swinney’s predecessor as SNP First Minister, Humza Yousaf, was also savaged for a £200million cut in the affordable housing budget.

Declaring an emergency will make housing a top priority for all parts of the Scottish Government.

Although some councils have declared an emergency, the Scottish Government has not yet gone this far.

However that will change during a Labour-led debate at Holyrood today.

Somerville blamed Tory austerity, inflation and an “almost nine per cent cut in the Scottish Government’s capital budget” for the problem and insisted her government had “one hand tied behind our back by Westminster”.

She added: “We have taken firm action on housing and we can be proud of a record showing we have delivered significantly more affordable homes than in England and Wales, and taken firm action on rent increases.