SNP MSP urges Scottish Government to learn from international examples to tackle housing crisis

SNP MSP Emma Roddick has suggested Scotland could follow Spain in taking radical measures to tackle the housing crisis.

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced plans this week to prioritise available homes for residents by imposing a tax of up to 100% on properties bought by non-residents in countries outside the EU.

In a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, Ms Roddick asked the Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan MSP, whether the Scottish Government would consider pursuing similar measures in Scotland.

Commenting, Ms Roddick said

“When there’s a housing crisis and unprecedented pressure, you need to take firm action to make sure people who want to live and work locally can still find a place to call home.

“It is reasonable to ask people with the money to purchase multiple houses, sight unseen, with no intention of visiting, let alone living there, to pay back into funds that will allow the government to replace that housing stock.

“Scotland has a history of taking strong action on housing, and we remain a leader in housing rights in the UK.  We need to do more, now, to encourage the use of houses as homes.”