Finding a place to live is often a very stressful experience. But in the current rental market it can prove to be a total nightmare – especially if you’re a parent.
Figures published yesterday revealed how almost 9,000 families were stuck in temporary accommodation as of March. That figure has quadrupled in the past two decades.
Most of these families are in social housing while they wait for a suitable permanent home to become available. But the sheer number of people forced to settle for a short-term fix proves how broken the housing market has become.
The rising cost of buying a property has been outpacing average earnings for years. It used to be that renting was viewed as the more affordable option – a safe fall-back for those trying to save money.
But even that is becoming increasingly difficult in certain parts of the country. Between 2011 and 2021, rents increased in the Lothians by 41.7 per cent and in Greater Glasgow by 41.4 per cent.
More social housing is being built but not in the places it is needed most. It’s a genuine scandal that so many children are suffering as a result.
All kids deserve a decent start in life in a home they feel secure in. Not stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
We need genuinely affordable housing to be built where it is needed. Our cities are where most jobs are and the demand for affordable housing highest – they should not become preserves for the rich.
Affordable, decent quality housing must be provided for all in every part of the country.
Four million Scots will feel the cold this winter as fuel bills rocket
When the cold comes this winter, and the price of heating homes goes stratospheric, four million Scots will find themselves in fuel poverty.
Many of those households will face a stark choice between eating and heating – spending more than 10 per cent of their income just to keep warm.
While 73 per cent of households in Scotland will be plunged into fuel poverty, the figure is just 56 per cent in London and 58 per cent in the south-east of England.
The fact is Scotland’s colder weather means we need to heat our homes for longer – and earlier in the year – with the sky-high costs that follow.
Even in late August, many people in the Highlands are already needing to put their central heating on during cooler evenings.
But with many Scots officially facing a bitter cold winter, we get nothing but warm words from the Tories. We sincerely hope our next PM – whether it is Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss – has the heart to help those most in need.
But we doubt they will even care.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
Heartbroken woman had to put down her five dogs as she's first in UK to contract ultra rare disease
- First picture of young mum killed in horror A90 crash as tributes paid to 'amazing woman'
Scots family 'left with nothing' after faulty cooker plug burns house down and destroys possessions
Horrified pupils and teachers watched armed thugs try to rob dad of car outside Scots primary school
Mum torn over changing baby's name after realising 'unfortunate oversight'
