Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 4 October 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mark Griffin Mark Griffin Labour

Thank you, Presiding Officer.

That proposal holds merit but, rather than limiting the rent rise that tenants might experience at this extremely difficult time, I think that a rent rise of zero per cent would be far better for Scotland’s tenants than any rise at all and would support people through the winter. That is why Scottish Labour called for it months and months ago, but the Government was ready to turn a blind eye to such calls. Back then, we heard the usual excuses from ministers and members of the Government that amendments were not competent or would be subject to legal challenge, that the Government had not consulted on them or that they would, in fact, push up rents. The Government advanced those excuses months ago to dismiss Labour’s campaign for a rent freeze, but they now seem to be accepted although they are absolute nonsense.