Rise in the number of people left homeless in Inverclyde

New statistics show that the number of people without a home in the district between April and September last year was 49 per cent higher than the equivalent figure in 2020.

This was the highest percentage rise in Scotland by a considerable margin, and far higher than the Scottish average of three per cent.

Labour MSP Katy Clark blames the Scottish Government for the situation but the SNP's Stuart McMillan has defended his party's record on the issue.

Describing the figures as a 'wake-up call', Ms Clark branded the ministers' level of investment in social housing as 'woefully insufficient'.

She said: “Thousands are still on waiting or transfer lists in Inverclyde, and yet Inverclyde Council is now gearing up for yet another round of austerity cuts.

“At a time when prices are outpacing wages, energy bills are pushing families into fuel poverty and support from the UK Government is almost entirely absent, it must be all hands on deck to protect people’s livelihoods.

“Local authorities urgently need the necessary funding to provide the quality, permanent housing people need.”

Mr McMillan responded by highlighting recent investment in housing by the government.

He also criticised Scottish Labour's record on homelessness and house building.

He said: "According to the statistics used by Ms Clark, homelessness in Scotland rose by an average of three per cent and some local authority areas actually saw a decrease in homelessness.

"If Labour are prepared to attribute Inverclyde’s increase in homelessness to the Scottish Government then I assume Ms Clark will attribute reductions in homelessness elsewhere in Scotland to actions taken by the Scottish Government.

“It would also seem that Ms Clark has either not dealt with much casework in relation to housing or has not been keeping up to date with the efforts the Scottish Government have made to stop people being evicted during the pandemic.

"She makes wild claims about the lack of investment in social housing and that key protections for tenants have been scrapped.

"She clearly isn’t aware of the extra £16m being awarded to councils over the next two financial years, taking the total investment in rapid rehousing to £53.5 million."

Mr McMillan says he is determined to help housing organisations in the area accommodate more people.

He said: "I’ll continue working hard to do my best to ensure tenant rights are protected and to help local housing associations secure more investment in their current stock and help build new properties.”