Scottish Labour calls for emergency rent freeze to protect tenants struggling with cost of living
dailyrecord.co.ukAnas Sarwar will today call for an emergency rent freeze to be implemented as soon as MSPs return from their summer break next month.
The Scottish Labour leader will set out his party's plan to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis. A key part will be emergency legislation to impose a freeze on rents for nine months - with the option of extending the policy for up to two years.Exceptions could be included in the legislation to prevent landlords from facing severe hardship.A similar proposal put forward by Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba was rejected by SNP and Green ministers earlier this year.Sarwar said: “The cost-of-living crisis is a national emergency on the scale of the pandemic - and dealing with it requires both of Scotland’s governments moving quickly and decisively."That is why Scottish Labour is calling for emergency legislation to be put before the Scottish Parliament now as the starting point for a response to help people without delay.“We will set out areas now where Holyrood can act urgently to help people now.“While bills spiral and wages struggle to keep up with inflation, the SNP has the power to help people but they’ve failed to take it.“Nowhere is that clearer than rising rents, where just months ago ministers rejected calls for a freeze.
Cash strapped tenants need help now, and no one should face being evicted because of this crisis.“But now as people face unimaginable hardship they must think again and make these common sense changes at a time of national crisis.”Villalba said: "With the cost of living crisis getting worse by the day and fuel bills set to soar this winter, support for a rent freeze could not be more timely."The SNP/Green Government must join with Labour on this issue
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