Political opinion: Paul Godzik - Salwar right to highlight housing scandal

In September it was revealed that given the lack of housing options locally spending on B&Bs and hostels for emergency temporary accommodation in Falkirk has risen nearly 650 per cent in just two years. Just last week the Scottish Government’s own figures showed that over the last year social sector housing starts have hit their lowest point since records began in 1997.

Labour candidate for Falkirk West, Paul Godzik, welcomed the issue being raised and repeated his call for more to be done on housing locally.

He said: “Housing is a huge issue locally. Along with NHS waiting lists and the threat to our local college it is one of the top issues highlighted to me over the last year. There are far too many people on waiting lists, not enough affordable houses being delivered, and a system being stretched to the limit. So, I’m pleased Anas Sarwar is challenging John Swinney on this issue.

“The huge 650 per cent rise in spending on emergency temporary accommodation across Falkirk shows that many families could spend Christmas in Falkirk in unsuitable housing. The SNP Government declared a housing emergency, and then did nothing. They promised to end the use of inappropriate housing, but children across Scotland will spend Christmas in B&Bs and hostels. That is a scandal, and one the SNP should rightly be held to account for.”

“In 2026 we desperately need a new direction on housing. We need a Labour Scottish Government prioritising the housing emergency by reforming the planning system, boosting housebuilding and delivering fair funding for local government.”

Commenting after FMQs Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar said “Scotland is in a housing emergency – John Swinney has admitted that himself. But to declare a housing emergency and do nothing isn’t leadership. It’s a cowardly stunt. The number of people sleeping rough is at its highest point in 14 years and over 17,000 households in temporary accommodation - the highest on record.

“This is the result of 18 years of SNP Government. John Swinney should be ashamed of the SNP’s record on housing and the damage it is doing. Today there are 10,000 children across Scotland living in temporary accommodation, many living in flats, hotels, B&Bs, hostels.

“In Glasgow one family has spent 13 years in temporary accommodation and in Edinburgh one family has spent 9 years in temporary accommodation. That is an entire childhood, year after year, spent moving place to place and school to school. Christmas after Christmas without a home to call their own.

“The truth is John Swinney has a record of failing Scotland’s children.”