Scottish Parliament debates cut to Affordable Housing Supply Programme
Scottish Government budget outlines devastating cut for social housing.
The Scottish Parliament returned from recess this week, with parliamentary committees beginning to discuss and debate the Scottish Government’s draft budget plans.
The Deputy First Minister outlined Scottish Government’s spending decisions on the 19th December, with a proposed almost £200 million cut to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) – nearly 26%. Analysis from the Fraser of Allander Institute notes that this means the Scottish Government has wiped 37% from the AHSP in the past two years.
Prior to the discussions, SFHA briefed members of two key committees to outline that the cut would be devastating and risks exacerbating poverty and homelessness. The cut saw real opposition, with speakers at the Finance and Public Administration Committee calling it ‘baffling’.
SFHA will continue to work with MSPs as the budget moves through Parliament to fight the proposed cut. You can read our briefing for MSPs prior to the budget announcements here.