RENT
Scotland is freezing rents and banning evictions to protect tenants. Will Liz Truss follow suit?
With record rents and rising bills, Nicola Sturgeon unveiled an eviction ban and a rent freeze to protect tenants from the cost-of-living crisis. Coming on the day of Liz Truss’s new job, it moved pressure onto her to follow suit.
Scotland’s First Minister announced that emergency legislation would be introduced to bring in measures for both private and social renters until at least March as part of her Programme for Government last week.
“The practical effect of this statement is that rents are frozen from today,” Sturgeon told MSPs.
She added: “The Scottish government does not have the power to stop your energy bills soaring but we can take action to ensure your rent does not rise. Two of the most important and fundamental sources of security for any of us are a job and a home. In times of economic and financial crisis, these can be the foundations that help people through.”
Tenants union Living Rent said the move is a “huge step in the right direction”, but sounded a note of caution.
“The devil will be in the detail and it is important that this rent freeze applies across the board,” said Living Rent secretary Meg Bishop.
“But this rent freeze is a great emergency response, and will need to stay in place until the Scottish government brings in proper rent controls that push rents down.”
Sturgeon also confirmed the Scottish child payment would increase to £25 a
