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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 26 November 2024
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Displaying 971 contributions

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Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Low Income and Debt Inquiry

Meeting date: 19 May 2022

Paul McLennan

To come back to the point about the cost of recovery, you estimate that the debt is £1 million but it is probably more. Do you have any figures on the cost of recovery and the resources involved in that? It seems counterproductive to me—that is staring us right in the face. Do you have any other figures on that?

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Low Income and Debt Inquiry

Meeting date: 19 May 2022

Paul McLennan

This is for Gordon MacRae. Some of the evidence that we have received is around advice, in relation to both the public and the private sectors. There are figures that show how public sector rent arrears have increased, but that is not so much the case for the private sector. Can we get such evidence? You have seen that increase. Anecdotal evidence has shown that there has been such an increase.

How difficult is it to get to the private rented sector when it is so diverse? What can we do about that? I noticed that the key cost for an eviction is about £24,000. How can we be pre-emptive in the advice that we give? Can we be more pre-emptive in getting advice to people before they get into trouble and they arrive on the doorstep?

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Low Income and Debt Inquiry

Meeting date: 19 May 2022

Paul McLennan

From CPAG’s point of view, is there a difference in how that affects family types? Are you seeing a distinct split between families with children and those without children? I remember that you gave us evidence previously in which you said that the first two or three years in a child’s life are incredibly important. Are you seeing an impact beyond that? Do we need to look at younger children or maybe older kids and so on?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Affordable Housing

Meeting date: 17 May 2022

Paul McLennan

That is interesting to know. Until last week, I had been a councillor in East Lothian for 15 years. As a constituency MSP, I am well aware of the opportunities around private investment models. I have also met LAR Housing Trust.

Does anyone else want to come in on that point?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 17 May 2022

Paul McLennan

Good morning, minister—I mean, good afternoon. I have fallen into the same trap.

At last week’s meeting, we heard about people being trapped in zero-value homes and having issues with accessing affordable buildings insurance. Can the Scottish Parliament offer any practical help in that regard?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Affordable Housing

Meeting date: 17 May 2022

Paul McLennan

How can RSLs and councils develop new homes more efficiently to reduce costs and ensure value for money? That issue has been touched on, but does anyone want to add anything?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Affordable Housing

Meeting date: 17 May 2022

Paul McLennan

In your opinion, is there enough co-ordination across the sector? I am talking about housing providers, not just the pension providers. Is there a need for more co-ordination across the sector on private investment opportunities? Is there enough co-ordination on the part of pension providers in relation to investigating what the barriers are, how we can open things up and where the opportunities are?

12:00  

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Affordable Housing

Meeting date: 17 May 2022

Paul McLennan

Mark Rodgers, I want to pick up your point about funding. There is an opportunity to expand the use of pension funds and real estate investment trusts. Why is Scotland not as advanced as the rest of the United Kingdom in that regard?

On a related matter—I will open up the question—you referred to the ownership of land in the Highlands. Are there any opportunities to work with landowners so that selling their land, including for housing, is a more attractive option for them? What barriers do you see to that?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Affordable Housing

Meeting date: 17 May 2022

Paul McLennan

What can the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament do to mitigate the barriers that you have just mentioned?

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Affordable Housing

Meeting date: 17 May 2022

Paul McLennan

Do you want to say anything about build to rent or equity sharing? I will open it up to anybody else who wants to comment on that.