Speaking after today’s (Wednesday) stage one debate in the Scottish Parliament on the Housing (Scotland) Bill, Glasgow MSP Bob Doris has lambasted both Conservatives and Labour for decimating Scottish social housing by supporting Thatcher’s ‘Right to Buy’ policy.

Mr Doris said: “Whilst the option of a cheap house was very attractive indeed to thousands of people at time, it couldn’t be clearer that the long term quality of Scottish housing stock was the last thing on these politician’s minds. The long term effects have been disastrous for the rented sector, transforming it from a housing option of first choice in many cases to one of last resort.

“The SNP government has reprioritised housing with a record £1.7 billion investment as we believe it to be one of the biggest social challenges of our time.

“Today I have been highlighting the mistakes of the past but also seeking assurances that new housing stock such as the new builds in Glasgow which are allocated for re-housing demolition cases will not be sold off. There is no incentive for long term capital investment under ‘right to buy’ and despite massive investment by the SNP government, the social rented sector will take some years to recover. I agree with Shelter Scotland’s analysis that there are less social rented homes now than at any time since 1959 and that the blame for this lies with the failed Tory/ Labour ‘right to buy’.

Mr Doris has also vowed to step up the fight against rogue private landlords and has written to the Secretary of State for Scotland to ask for agreement that criminal fines for convicted landlords should be kept in Scotland for reinvestment in housing.

Bob Doris added: “This Bill will be seeking to push up fines for rogue landlords from the current £5,000 maximum to £20,000. Unfortunately, the existing legislation has been unsuccessful in this regard which I believe is due to the costs associated with supporting successful convictions.

“At present, local authorities can find themselves out of pocket with little chance of recovering these funds. Proceeds of criminal fines currently all go to the Treasury but I will be asking Michael Moore to return these fines to Scotland so that efforts to clamp down on rogue landlords are financially supported.”