The Scottish Labour party is planning to introduce a ‘Mary Barbour’ law which, if passed, will bring in strict rent controls.
Mary Barbour was a leading campaigner during the rent strikes of 1915.
Labour’s proposals include linking rents to average wages; and giving tenants the power to challenge rents and submit claims for rent reductions.
The proposals, which would form a Private Member’s Bill, go further than the Scottish Government’s Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act which came into force on December 1, and which restricts rent rises to once a year.
Labour housing spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “There is a housing crisis in Scotland. There is a lack of affordable public housing and so people are forced to rent privately and as a result are paying rip-off rents which stops them saving for a deposit to buy their own home.
“Rent controls are vital to stop this happening and to give people hope that they can have secure, affordable tenancies.”
Once the Bill has been drawn up, there will be a consultation.
Not a hint of irony.
There is a housing crisis in Scotland. There is a lack of affordable public housing and so people are forced to rent privately and as a result are paying rip-off rents which stops them saving for a deposit to buy their own home.
So Labour think the obvious problem is the private rental sector. Not the lack of affordable public housing. Not the lack of mortgage affortabilty and the lack of a deposit must be down to big bad landlords.
The absolute absence of imagination from Labour demonstrates why even in Scotland a previous power base. They find themselves cast adrift.
Completely clueless.
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It is nice to see that Pauline McNeill with the emotive language (rip off rents) has admitted that the Labour Party in Scotland has failed their electorate in not providing the social housing that is necessary. It seems to be total failure in its social responsibility and has to turn to private rented sector to provide housing but does not like the terms of the open market. The modern way is to asset strip the old social housing (selling off council housing spending the money elsewhere or passing it to others to administer) until you have no more and then rob the private sector from the returns on its investment. Dress it up nicely to justify you actions and make it sound how nice and supportive you are.
Just an alternative view point! You choose which has the moral high ground. Robin Hood? or Hoods Robbing?
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