Those most in need paying the price of SNP’s failures

A YouGov poll carried out for Shelter Scotland and Shelter suggests that 5% of people in Scotland - equivalent to 207,500 - have used credit cards to pay their mortgage or rent in the last 12 months.

It also suggested the number of people forced to move in with family or friends or take on extra work to meet their mortgage or rent payments is much higher in Scotland than the Great Britain average.

Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, Shadow Minister for Housing, said:

“It is deeply concerning that the number of people in Scotland who are forced to move in with friends or family is double that of the UK figure, but the fact is that the Scottish Government have slashed the affordable housing budget two years in a row."

The shocking figures come as it was revealed the number of new homes built in Scotland fell by a fifth to just over 16,000 last year, and £95million will be cut in this year’s housing budget.

Johnstone added “They have also spectacularly failed to engage with the private sector in order to provide enough affordable homes. It is disgraceful that those most in need are now paying the price of the SNP’s failures.

“It is vitally important that anyone facing financial difficulties looks closely at their household budget and contacts their creditors and local Citizens Advice Bureau as soon as possible, to discuss the options available.”