Chamber and committees

I completely understand—

I turn to my colleague Edward Mountain’s amendments. Amendment 150 relates to Scottish ministers providing definitions of which properties are exempt within six months of section 13 coming into force. We need to have a measured approach that makes sure that exemptions for properties are brought forward within a suitable timeframe while also providing clarity to the sector.

Amendment 151, which has also been lodged by my colleague, would provide an important exemption in that it would exempt military accommodation from rent controls. Again, this exemption is a no-brainer and I hope that it will be in the feedback from the consultation.

Amendment 152 would exempt any property

“for which the tenant is an employee of the landlord.”

That will relate to many farms and rural dwellings, which should be taken into consideration. We need to make sure that family farms—or any farms—are thriving enterprises, so we need to consider exemptions in this area as well.

Like Katy Clark’s amendment 412, amendment 147 aims to allow repair works, improvements and any work relating to energy efficiency to be taken into account. The exemption would be calculated based on the level of work that is required. There is a strong argument for reference having to be made to the condition of the property, whether it is in a good condition or a bad condition, as that could provide an additional layer of protection for tenants. I am unsure at this point whether Katy Clark will move her amendment, but I think that she has indicated that she will not move it.

I am concerned by amendments 284 and 285, which will leave a loophole in the bill, as ministers will no longer have to consult the relevant local authorities, tenants and landlords on the form and level of the rent control measures that are being considered for proposed rent control areas. Amendment 285 will mean that, when designating a rent control area, ministers will no longer have to include the reasons for doing so, or the level of the rent control measure to be introduced in that area, in their report to the Parliament. That will remove an additional layer of protection from the bill, which would be vital should rent controls be put in place.

I also want to mention my upcoming amendment 107, which would remove exemptions. That relates back to the overall Scottish Conservative principle and stance that we are opposed to rent controls. It will be a bit odd to push for that amendment but to then talk about adding exemptions in subsequent amendments. However, given our overall position and stance, it is right that we try to remove sections on rent controls, but we recognise that, if rent controls are to be put in place, those exemptions would be an important part of the argument. There are certain areas that we want to be exempt from rent controls.

Of course, there is an on-going consultation on exemptions from rent controls. I have pressed the cabinet secretary to ensure that that consultation is concluded as soon as possible in order to provide reassurance to the sector.

We are in a housing emergency—I think that we all agree on that—and we need the private sector to bring in investment in order to build more homes. How are we going to tackle the housing emergency if we cannot have that investment in Scotland to build more homes and get people into them? Surely there is an argument that, if we build more homes, that will naturally reduce rents.

We have known for some time that the Government was considering bringing rent controls into the sector, so why was the consultation not carried out prior to this stage of the bill? Will the cabinet secretary reassure the sector that the consultation will go on for only as long as it has to and that exemptions will be made clear as soon as possible?

We must never forget the brave men and women who fell during the conflict of world war two and those who fought to secure freedoms and liberties that we all take for granted today. We will forever be indebted to our second world war veterans for the sacrifices that they made, the friends whom they lost or the stories that they have told.

This momentous occasion marks the 80th year since the end of the war in Europe. In my short contribution, I wish to focus on why we need to keep marking that occasion. In every community across the country, names are etched into stone, alongside a rank and the date on which those soldiers died. Those are the names of family members and loved ones who will never be forgotten.

Every year, we stand at those memorials and fall silent. Among the crowds that gather are veterans of past wars and more recent conflicts, armed forces personnel, community groups, members of the public and, of course, politicians. We attend those events because we understand the significance of past conflicts and how fragile our world is. That is why I intend to introduce a member’s bill to protect our war memorials. It is important to ensure that they survive for years to come because, one day, there will be no more veterans left to attend such important occasions. We must encourage our younger generations to learn what people in our communities fought and died for—the triumph over totalitarianism.

Often we are told that there is an overfocus on world wars in our education system. However, given current global conflicts, it has never been more important that we reflect on our shared history in order to ensure that our future is one of peace. The values of victory in Europe day are as relevant now as they were then.

In the time that I have left, I will share an uplifting incentive that I read about. It is a fantastic example of how schools can connect with our armed forces and veterans community while learning about the VE day commemorations. Through the Together Coalition, 1,300 schools requested a letter from a veteran setting out their wartime experience and what it means to them 80 years later. Passing that baton of memory and meaning to the next generation will not only have helped to close the generational gap, but will have left a huge impression on the young people, who now have memories of being able to speak to a veteran who lived and fought through the second world war. The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation is the proud custodian of those letters, which have captured those moments in history and which form an additional piece of the picture that members of the public will be able to reflect on in years to come.

I think that that is wonderful. It is what we should strive for in our society—connecting older generations with younger generations, in order to learn from past mistakes. Sharing those experiences can ensure that our future generations do not repeat the mistakes that were made by previous ones.

There is only one thing left for me to say, and that is that we will remember them.

The best way to make housing affordable for Scots is to build more homes, but we know that the Scottish National Party Government’s housing policy has led to the loss of £3 billion of investment from the private sector. Will the cabinet secretary work with the sector to ensure that housing providers can do their job without further interference from the Government?

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is challenging the United Kingdom Government’s proposed inheritance tax changes for farmers. (S6O-04608)

Farmers in Scotland could face devastating consequences as a result of the UK Government’s proposed inheritance tax changes. As Labour has let farmers down, farmers will now be turning to the Scottish Government for its support, but the last budget saw a real-terms cut for rural affairs, and yesterday’s programme for government will have given Scotland’s farmers little confidence or certainty. What new action can the Scottish Government take to support our farming sector?

I realise that this could look as though I am making an intervention through an intervention, but I am still none the wiser as to which MSPs that would include, which amendments have been completely thrown out, and which amendments the minister is likely to work on with MSPs. As a voting member of the committee, I am unclear as to the direction. Therefore, in my view, it is unclear how committee members should vote and whether ministers are willing to work alongside colleagues on amendments, or whether the Government is suggesting that it would oppose the amendments.