In April, Paul McLennan was appointed as Scotland’s new housing minister.
“My aim is for everyone to have a warm, safe, affordable home that meets their needs…” – Paul McLennan
David Bookbinder from the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations and Jane Wood from Homes for Scotland joined hosts Jimmy Black and Kieran Findlay on the Scottish Housing News Podcast to discuss what this could mean for the Scottish housing sector.
Black’s Blog: A new minister… a new beginning?
Although McLennan is now the dedicated housing minister, there remains at least five ministers and five cabinet secretaries across five departments covering areas relevant to housing.
It is near impossible to have neat categories within government. But both David and Jane noted the importance for understanding and cooperation across different areas. Jane also called for greater recognition of the overlaps between the directorates, as well as the need for more data-evidenced policymaking and cross-referencing of data for the housing sector.
David suggested that the new housing minister should focus on improving the state of private and tenement housing, especially older tenements.
