Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has accused the SNP of “dangerously neglecting” tenants in Perth and Kinross.
His call comes after the Scottish Conservatives uncovered that over 160,000 complaints have been made to local authorities in relation to damp and mould in social homes across Scotland since the SNP came to power in 2007.
Ten councils failed to respond to the Freedom of Information request, or did not have the relevant information, meaning the true figure is almost certainly much higher.
In Perth and Kinross, there have been 5,013 complaints made over the last 18 years by tenants. Mr Fraser says it lays bare the “deeply damaging” impact of the SNP’s double whammy of cuts to both council and housing budgets.
He added that damp and mould can often lead to complicated health issues for people living in sub-standard accommodation, and urged SNP Housing Minister Paul McLennan to get a grip on the housing emergency to ensure everyone in Perth and Kinross has access to a safe home.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “The staggering scale of reports of damp and mould in Perth and Kinross should be a source of shame for SNP Ministers.
“It lays bare the deeply damaging impact SNP cuts to both housing and council budgets are having on tenants. They are being dangerously neglected by out-of-touch SNP ministers. Having to live under these sorts of conditions is hugely frustrating and can lead to serious health conditions developing.”
Mr Fraser continued: “With 300,000 Scots on social housing waiting lists, we have a double whammy of not enough homes being available in the first place and too many of those we do have being unfit for purpose.
“On so many fronts we have a housing emergency in Perth and Kinross and it is time the SNP Housing Minister got a grip of the situation.
“The level of these complaints should be the urgent wake-up call he needs to ensure everyone living in the region has access to a safe home.”
