Category Archives: Housing

Concerns raised over Bedroom Tax

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Claudia

At the start of next month changes to housing benefit stand to affect thousands of vulnerable households across Scotland. The so called Bedroom Tax, which is being implemented by the Coalition Government at Westminster, will see housing benefit for families … Continue reading →

Posted in Carers, Economy, Health, Housing | Leave a comment

You can depend on the CAB

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Claudia

A new report from the Fraser of Allander Institute has demonstrated the economic benefits of the Citizens Advice Service in Scotland. According to the report, the CAB service benefits Scotland to the tune of more than £160m a year including … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Equal Opportunities, Health, Housing, Human Rights, Local Issues, Voluntary Sector | Leave a comment

Are you Ready for Winter?

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Claudia

With winter weather beginning to close in, the Scottish Government has set out is winter resilience plans during a debate in Parliament. The importance of this annual debate has been heightened over the past few years following the extreme weather … Continue reading →

Posted in Debates in Parliament, Energy, Environment, Health, Housing, Local Authorities, Public Safety, Transport | Leave a comment

Visit to Gigha

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Claudia

Earlier this month I joined colleagues on the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee on a visit to the Isle of Gigha. Gigha lies between the Kintyre peninsula and Islay off the west coast of Scotland and is home to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Economy, Energy, Environment, Housing, Renewable Energy, Tourism | Leave a comment

Reclaim Your Fees campaign against rip-off landlords

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Claudia

Earlier this month, Shelter Scotland launched a campaign to help protect tenants from rip-off landlords. The Reclaim Your Fees campaign highlights the message that a number of letting agent fees are illegal in Scotland and provides practical support to help … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Justice | Leave a comment

Shelter – No Room at the Inn?

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Claudia

In the week that the Parliament went into Christmas Recess, Shelter came in to lobby MSPs about the number of people who spend the festive period in temporary accommodation. Over Christmas, at a time when the vast majority of people were coming … Continue reading →

Posted in Equal Opportunities, Housing | Leave a comment

Making affordable housing stack up?

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Claudia

Recently the Parliament held a debate on housing and colleagues took the opportunity to call on the Scottish Government to follow through on its commitment to build 30,000 socially rented houses in this Parliament. The commitment, which is backed by Shelter, was … Continue reading →

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Fuel Poverty Statement

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Claudia

Earlier this week the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil MSP, made a statement to Parliament about fuel poverty. I got the chance to ask a question regarding the statement and used the opportunity to raise the … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Housing | Leave a comment

Shelter campaigns for social housing

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Claudia

I have added my support to a campaign from housing and homelessness charity Shelter calling on the Scottish Government to fulfil its pledge to deliver 6,000 new socially rented homes in each year of this Parliament. Many people Scotland face difficulties … Continue reading →

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