Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said that the Scottish Government has “failed” to tackle the country’s housing emergency. 

Ministers were forced to declare the emergency earlier this year as a result of increased pressure on the housing supply and high rates of homelessness.

Since, the number of people making a homelessness application has hit record levels and more than 10,000 children were recorded as living in temporary accommodation last year.

Using Scottish Labour debating time in Holyrood, Sarwar hit out at the Government’s record on housing.

(Image: Anas Sarwar, PA) He said: “We have a chance today to put the needs of the people of Scotland front and centre, to stand up for all those who find themselves without a home to call their own and to stand up for all those for whom the dream of home ownership is currently just that – a dream.

“This Government has failed to tackle the housing emergency – this is not good enough.

“The failure must end – Scotland deserves better.

“Under this SNP Government, fewer homes being built, targets missed on a yearly basis and homelessness on the rise.

“Every number a human being in need of help and every missed target the breaking of dreams, of hopes and aspirations.”

(Image: Housing Minister Paul McLennan, PA) But responding, housing minister Paul McLennan said Mr Sarwar “did not talk about any ideas whatsoever” to fix the crisis as he invited the Scottish Labour leader to propose initiatives ahead of the Budget to be announced in December.

He added: “This Government understands the urgency of this crisis and we are using all our powers to address it.

“But it should be acknowledged Westminster’s policies have left us grappling with an emergency that requires systemic change and investment at UK-wide level.

“I once again call on the Labour UK Government to use its upcoming budget to scrap the bedroom tax, reverse the 9% capital cut to Scotland’s budget and permanently uplift the local housing allowance.”