In this series The Orkney News is looking at the Manifesto Pledges of the UK’s main political parties. Several issues highlighted are policy areas which are Devolved – for example: Education, Water, and in this case Housing. It is not made clear in many of the party political broadcasts and media coverage of the General Election that these issues being raised by the Conservative, Labour and LibDems, are Devolved.

Since 1999 The Scottish Parliament and its duly elected Government decide Housing Policy. Therefore, voting at a General Election will not affect Scotland’s Housing policies. Also bear in mind that when figures and percentages are quoted it does not include either Scotland or Wales. Those figures are for England.

Nevertheless Housing is being raised in the UK media as an election issue despite it being one confined to the electorate of England. If a candidate or party supporter turns up on your doorstep and rattles on about Housing, remind them that it is our MSPs sitting in the Scottish Parliament who decide that.

Only yesterday a leaflet from a candidate for Orkney & Shetland arrived and his number 3 priority was ‘Ensuring affordable housing in Orkney and Shetland so that young people are not forced out of their communities by rising prices’ – so this is misinformation either through ignorance or, deliberately misleading. Which is worse – ignorance or telling lies in order to mislead voters?

Lack of affordable housing is a significant issue across many communities but any candidate at this General Election pledging to do something about it in Scotland is not being honest with you. In the Highlands and Islands, with multiple home ownership and Holiday Lets skewing the property market, young families and those with employment find it harder to secure affordable accommodation – both to buy or rent.

Help for First Time Buyers in Scotland

The Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) scheme has reopened to help first time buyers and certain priority groups step on to the property ladder in Scotland. Successful applicants will be able to buy a home without having to purchase it in full, usually between 60% and 90% of the property’s value, with the Scottish Government owning the remaining share. If you would like to find out more click on this link to apply: LIFT Open Market Shared Equity

Those eligible to apply include:

• people aged 60 and over
• first time buyers
• social renters (people who rent from the council or a housing association)
• disabled people
• members of the armed forces
• veterans who have left the armed forces within the past two years
• widows, widowers and other bereaved partners of service personnel for up to two years after their partner has lost their life while serving

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP, Emma Roddick, experienced being homeless when she was younger. Commenting on her appointment to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Housing and Planning Committee she said:

“Housing is an issue very close to my heart after experiencing homelessness myself when I was younger, so I am absolutely delighted to be joining this committee, one I had hoped to join when I was first elected.

“We need folk involved in the policymaking process who have lived experience as they know best what will and won’t work. It is such a personal thing to have somewhere to call home and a place where you feel safe, and I know that the insecurity of not having this can impact a person’s life forever

“That is why I am really excited to join this Committee to make sure everyone in communities across the Highlands and Islands have a place to call home, to contribute to the upcoming Housing Bill in Parliament, and to make sure we end homelessness in Scotland.”

The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee is examining a range of issues affecting housing supply in Scotland.

The candidates for the Orkney & Shetland Constituency on July 4th are as follows

Fiona Grahame