Unite Scotland house build call

And from the south east of England to Scotland – Unite is out to defeat the UK’s housing misery crisis.

Unite Scotland announced (August 19) it is backing calls for a national strategy to tackle Scotland’s social housing crisis and create new jobs in construction.

The union was commenting following news that Scottish Labour deputy leader Alex Rowley MSP had written to raise the issue with the Scottish government.

“A home is a human right, and too many people in Scotland are unable to find suitable accommodation that they can afford,” commented Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty.

“Young people are suffering in particular – we have found that 86 per cent of Unite members under 25 years old are living with their parents.

“There is a massive need for investment in housing in Scotland, and especially social housing that people can afford, built and owned by councils and housing associations,” Rafferty added.

Research by Unite has found that for every ÂŁ1 spent on housing construction, an extra ÂŁ2.09 is generated in the economy, with direct future savings in tax and benefit payments.

For each home built, 1.5 direct jobs are created with estimates ranging from between an additional 2 and up to 4 jobs created in the wider supply chain.

Said Rafferty, “This investment will also help us address Scotland’s jobs crisis, creating new opportunities for skilled work and apprenticeships.

“We welcome the call for a new national house build strategy and would work closely with councils, housing associations, developers and the Scottish government to ensure its success.”

@davideyre