NEW HOMES and JOBS AS SNP INVESTMENT DWARFS LABOUR FAILURE

NEW HOMES and JOBS AS SNP INVESTMENT DWARFS LABOUR FAILURE

Welcoming the announcement by First Minister Alex Salmond that there will be a £90 million investment to provide 1,000 new council houses across Scotland which will create almost 2,000 jobs SNP MSP Bob Doris – the Deputy Convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee – said it sharply contrasted with the  record of the previous Labour-led Executive which only built SIX council homes over their last four years in office.

Commenting Mr Doris said:

“In such difficult economic times with tightening finances this is an incredible achievement and only highlights how Labour could not be trusted to deliver on social housing.

"These 1000 new council homes contrast with the feeble efforts of the previous Labour-led Executive who managed to build just six in the whole of Scotland during their four year term.

"Once again we are seeing clear evidence of the SNP Government delivering for the benefit of Scotland despite Britain's current economic troubles.

“With government support, local authorities can now see a purpose in investing in housing stock, particular now that Thatcher’s ‘Right to Buy’ is coming to an end for new build social housing.

“After all the years of virtually no investment in council housing under Labour and the private market rocketing out of the reach of young families, I am delighted that we can now see a future with proper modern council houses available to rent.

“There is real incentive now for councils to start building again and to build quality homes that people will choose to live rather than the ‘last resort’ housing option that Labour and the Tories created.

“Record investment in social housing is creating jobs and providing desperately needed homes. I will be pushing for yet more investment in the years ahead as I believe the long-term benefit for our communities is immense.”