Contributing to yesterday's Stage 1 Debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill, MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick championed the progress already made on the bill by the Scottish Government, and renewed her commitment to strengthening its measures, such as rent controls. Calling the data on those in rent-induced poverty 'terrifying', she highlighted that [...]

Official statistics published today by the Scottish Government show that rents across Scotland consistently outstripped inflation for all property types since 2010, with an alarming increase over the past year. In the Highlands and Islands, tenants in one-bedroom shared properties have seen rents go up by an average of 67% since 2010, a full third [...]

I was deeply concerned to hear the news last month that Rural Housing Scotland was to close.   I wrote to the Housing Minister to seek clarification on how the Scottish Government could fill the gap and continue to ensure the delivery of much-needed homes in my region – here is the reply.     [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick met with the Co-founder and Master Distiller of the Isle of Raasay Distillery, Alasdair Day, and the Scotch Whisky Association last week to hear about the impact the distillery is having on the island. The distillery, opened in 2017, now employs around 40 people, including people who [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has urged the Scottish Government to invest money into making use of the building we already have. It comes after the Programme for Government was announced yesterday, which saw almost £600 million committed to affordable housing, including £40 million to bring existing homes into affordable use. Speaking on this, [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has welcomed the announcement from the First Minister today [4th September] that rent controls will be included in the upcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill. The First Minister announced that amendments will be introduced at stage 2 of the Housing Bill to protect tenants.  Speaking on this, Emma said: [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has reiterated the urgent need to do more to tackle homelessness in Scotland last month in Parliament. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament at the end of June, Emma noted that the Scottish Government must readjust their policy further in response to the housing emergency in order to [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has highlighted the stigma that exists for pet owners who are trying to access the rental market. The SNP MSP was taking part in a meeting of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee remotely last week, when her pet cat, Blue, made an appearance in shot. [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has been appointed to the Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee at the Scottish Parliament. The Committee focuses on housing provision, building standards, the planning system, democracy, and local councils in Scotland, scrutinising the work of government and suggesting or making changes to legislation and policy. The Committee will scrutinise the upcoming Housing Bill which Ms Roddick [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has highlighted the need to make sure existing homes are being used as houses, and that people can afford rents and mortgages, alongside housebuilding when preventing homelessness and tackling what the Scottish Government agreed this week [Wednesday 15th May] is a “housing emergency”. The SNP MSP reminded the [...]