Housing cuts are a "knockout punch"
24 October 2012
Speaking ahead of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee today (24th October), Gordon MacRae, Head of Communications and Policy at Shelter Scotland, said the Scottish Government’s 45% cut to the social housing budget is a knockout punch to the aspirations of low income families across Scotland. Gordon MacRae said:
“Every day at Shelter Scotland we see the hardship and misery faced by families and individuals struggling to pay for basics like food, heating and the roof over their head.
The combination of these housing cuts and the UK government’s attack on welfare is a knockout punch to the aspirations of low income families across Scotland in need of a secure and affordable home.
Gordon MacRae, Head of Communications & Policy
“Across Scotland 157,700 families and individuals are stuck on housing waiting lists, while 22,000 children wake up every morning with no place to call home. Despite this the Scottish Government has proposed a devastating 45 per cent cut to the social housing budget which will only make it harder for families to access safe, secure and affordable housing and condemn some to a life of poverty and ill health.”
“The combination of these housing cuts and the UK government’s attack on welfare is a knockout punch to the aspirations of low income families across Scotland in need of a secure and affordable home.”
Gordon MacRae added:
“This could have been a budget that takes us closer to realising a Scotland where everyone has a secure affordable place to call home.
“Instead housing is being raided to pay for other expensive projects resulting in house building being cut by 45 per cent whilst the overall cut to capital budgets is only 33 per cent.
“We hope Ministers will recognise the transformative role of housing to our communities and reverse these devastating cuts.”
If you are facing difficulties paying for your home, visit the Get Advice pages of our website or contact our free housing advice line on 0808 800 4444.
