“The difference between Hugh Henry and me, was that I was building new housing while he was demolishing it”, said Derek Mackay MSP (SNP – Renfrewshire North & West) in a recent Scottish Parliament debate on housing.

On Thursday 6th October, the Scottish Parliament debated the issue of housing and how innovative solutions were needed to ensure decent housing for Scotland while overcoming the budget cuts from the Coalition Government in Westminster.  Commenting on the fact that both himself and Hugh Henry MSP were former leaders of Renfrewshire Council, Derek Mackay MSP added:

“We have both worn hard hats and high-visibility jackets and attended high-profile events in Renfrewshire, but the difference is that I built houses and Hugh Henry demolished them.  That is the difference between the SNP and the Labour Party when in control locally.”

Mr Mackay also highlighted the importance of improving existing council housing and contrasted the difference between SNP led Renfrewshire Council who have invested £149million bringing their housing stock up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) and the previous Labour administration who failed to do so, and simply let the houses deteriorate.

Derek Mackay MSP said:

“One of the key issues is to improve the existing housing stock, I am proud that under the SNP, all council housing in Renfrewshire will meet the SHQS – something that Labour failed to do, and which they constantly vote against in the council chamber.

“Like many people I lived in a council house that was riddled with damp, but I resolved to do something about it.  When our investment plans for housing were taking place I asked the Director of Housing if any of our residents, or any of our children would then have to live in damp housing and the answer I was given was no – what a great achievement this will be.

“It is to Labour’s eternal shame that council housing deteriorated so much under their watch and that they still oppose the investment in bringing all the housing stock up to the SHQS.

“To meet the 2012 Homeless Target – where every homeless applicant has the right to settled accommodation- we need to ensure that all our existing housing is up to a decent standard.  I am proud that Renfrewshire Council has already met the 2012 Homeless Target almost two years ahead of the deadline.

“The recent announcements from the Scottish Government’s Housing Innovation and Investment Fund will see almost £6million coming to Renfrewshire for new affordable housing in Paisley, Gallowhill, and Johnstone.  This includes the first general needs council housing built in Renfrewshire in around 30 years”.