Election 2021:Part four in our ongoing series asking candidates what they would try and do about the some of main issues affecting the Highlands like depopulation and housing shortages
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Before Scotland goes to the polls, we have been asking the candidates of Inverness and Nairn how to deal with some of the problems facing the north. Now trainee doctor and Liberal Democrat candidate David Gregg has his say what he would do about housing shortages and depopulation.
The Inverness and Nairn constituency is expecting population increases over the next decade but the area is already suffering under the burden of thousands of people on waiting lists for social housing.
We asked Dr Gregg what he would do about the problem, if elected.
He said: “Young Highlanders priced out of their communities isn't only a recipe for future demographic disaster. It’s also exacerbating problems right now. I’ve seen patients crippled by stress at the thought of how they’ll keep their roof over their head. Solving the housing crisis would do wonders for our NHS by making the Highlands a happier place to live for so many.
“To fix the housing crisis, we need to deal with two issues. First, increase the number of houses on the market to bring prices down. Second, cut household running costs to make our existing stock more affordable. Both sound simple but need several solutions to achieve.
“We need the next government to build a lot more houses for social rent to provide a safety net for the poorest in society. The housing charity Shelter set a target of 37,000 new homes, and this should be the least we aim for. By increasing the supply of cheap housing, we will reduce prices in the private sector for renting and buying.
“We need radical land reform as championed by my counterpart in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Molly Nolan. Little over 400 people own half of Scotland's land. This means it's used for the few, not the many. Too often unproductive land is sat on as an investment vehicle, with derelict buildings blighting communities. We’d make it easier to force the sale of these sites to turn into zero emission homes for the good of the community.
“One third of Highlanders are in fuel poverty, despite the region being one of the UK leaders in renewable energy. The Scottish Liberal Democrats would end fuel poverty investing in energy-saving measures and green power. This would make many more of our existing homes affordable to the average young person, kickstart our recovery from Covid, and help fight climate change.”
To read what our other candidates have to say and get the rest of our election coverage click here
