Stronger protections for tenants needed
The Scottish Greens have called for stronger protections for tenants after the First Minister confirmed the Scottish Government is looking at extending emergency restrictions on evictions until March.
Under pressure from Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie at FMQs, the First Minister announced protections would be extended, a commitment which the Government wasn’t willing to give only yesterday.
But the First Minister stopped short of committing to additional protections that are needed to prevent a tidal wave of evictions following the massive loss in people’s incomes as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Responding, Mr Harvie said: “The Scottish Greens have been pushing for greater protection for tenants for months, as every forecast shows this pandemic will cause long term economic damage to our most vulnerable communities.
“Extending the temporary pause on evictions beyond next month will help a little, but this won’t provide long term security for those in danger of losing their home, nor avoid winter evictions as the six-month notice evictions are implemented.
"I urge the First Minister to look again at Andy Wightman’s proposed rent freeze and a ban on any evictions arising as a consequence of arrears accrued due to COVID-19. To keep protecting landlords while failing tenants would be unacceptable.”