That the Parliament notes the increase in mortgage costs due to the sharp rise in interest rates following the UK Government’s disastrous mini-budget; believes that, combined with wider cost of living pressures, higher mortgage repayments will push some households into poverty and that action is needed to prevent a spike in arrears and homelessness; recognises that the Home Owners’ Support Fund is a demand-led mortgage rescue programme to support low-income homeowners facing difficulty meeting payments to stay in their property through moving to either a rent or shared-equity scheme; notes that the Scottish Government is already reviewing the eligibility criteria of the Fund in light of the cost of living crisis; acknowledges the actions taken by the Scottish Government to also support people in the rented sector during the current cost crisis through the actions in the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 and through up to £86.6 million in Discretionary Housing Support; calls on the UK Government to ensure that there is an adequate social security net to support people in time of hardship, including homeowners with mortgages; believes that the current nine-month wait for loan-only support with mortgages within Universal Credit is too long, and agrees that this is one of the many areas where Universal Credit is not fit for purpose.
Supported by:
Daniel Johnson, Paul Sweeney
Result 72 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 8 did not vote Vote Passed
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
No Party Affiliation
That the Parliament notes the increase in mortgage costs due to the sharp rise in interest rates following the UK Government’s disastrous mini-budget; believes that, combined with wider cost of living pressures, higher mortgage repayments will push some households into poverty and that action is needed to prevent a spike in arrears and homelessness; recognises that the Scottish Government's Mortgage to Shared Equity scheme has not had a successful application since 2015-16, and calls for the Scottish Government to relaunch and revamp the scheme so that it is not limited to only those with existing high levels of equity, that eligibility thresholds reflect true house price values and that there is a maximum application turnaround time of two months.
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Supported by: Patrick Harvie, Ben Macpherson, Christina McKelvie
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Result 67 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 8 did not vote Vote Passed
Submitted by: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Result 30 for, 91 against, 0 abstained, 8 did not vote Vote Defeated