Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has condemned the Scottish Government’s decision to cut investment in social and affordable homes by £268m.
The move, revealed by SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes in yesterday’s Scottish Budget, was immediately condemned by housing charity Shelter Scotland who said “quality housing is a matter of life and death - and this is a huge backwards step.”
With the exception of Gail Ross and Alasdair Allan, all SNP MSPs in the Highlands and Islands region hold ministerial positions in Nicola Sturgeon’s government, with collective responsibility mean they will all have to support the cuts or resign.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “The lack of affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges facing communities across the Highlands and Islands. It impacts on far too many communities, leaving young people, families and some of our most vulnerable struggling to find the security of a permanent home."
“Too many of our communities already face depopulation and falling school roles and, by making this cut, the SNP Government is showing once again that it simply does not understand the priorities of any part of Scotland that falls outside the Central Belt."
“Local people will find it extraordinary that SNP ministers have chosen to slash this budget while, at the same time, increasing the so-called Government Business and Constitutional Relations Policy budget by nearly £4 million compared to last year. This means that nearly £15m of taxpayers’ money will be spent by the SNP on a unit that is dedicated to the SNP’s obsession with independence."
“These decisions tell you all you need to know about the real priorities of Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP government."
“I hope SNP MSPs across the Highlands and Island will consider whether their ministerial positions and government salaries are worth their support for a cut which will have such an impact on our constituents and our communities”.
The charity Shelter tweeted in response to the SNP funding cut:
@KateForbesMSP said Covid has 'underlined the value of a safe, secure and affordable home'. But she's chosen to cut investment in social and affordable homes by £268 million. Quality housing is a matter of life and death - and this is a huge backwards step.#ScottishBudget
