MAREE TODD: Affordable homes are vital to future of rural communities
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Holyrood Notebook by Maree Todd
With parliament back in full swing after a busy summer recess, the First Minister kicked off the session by setting out the Scottish Government’s priorities for 2023-24 in his first Programme for Government (PFG).
The programme includes a set of key policy areas focused on reducing poverty, promoting growth, tackling climate change, and delivering high-quality public services.
It includes plans to expand free early learning and childcare, extend free school meals to all primary six and seven pupils and a commitment to boost pay in the social care sector. The government will also launch a public consultation on banning single-use vapes in Scotland – a positive move which, if enacted, will help protect both public health and the environment.
Measures set out in this PFG will also support businesses and communities to unleash potential and promote entrepreneurship – helping to provide well-paid jobs right across Scotland, including in the Highlands, boosting both our national and local economies.
The First Minister also outlined a series of meaningful actions the Scottish Government will take to tackle the challenges facing rural areas. This included a commitment to invest £25 million in affordable housing, which will focus particularly on identifying homes for key workers in rural communities.
I know that communities in Caithness and Sutherland have felt the impact of staff shortages in the health and social care sector in recent years. The loss of EU migration to the area has put unbelievable pressure on staffing, but the lack of affordable and available housing in the Highlands is also limiting our ability to attract and retain key workers such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and social care staff.
We need to do more to support key workers to live and work in the Highlands and addressing the lack of affordable homes in our rural communities is a step in the right direction.
Confirmation of an upcoming Land Reform Bill was also a welcome announcement. This bill will empower communities by granting them opportunities to own land and play a more influential role in determining how land in their area is used.
The First Minister was also resolute in his commitment to completing the A9 dualling programme, where he confirmed that procurement has begun for the Tomatin to Moy section.
The last procurement round for this section resulted in a bid that did not represent the best value for Scottish taxpayers, resulting in its delay. Since then, the Scottish Government has worked closely with the market to improve its terms and conditions, to maximise market interest and ensure that the successful bid is a cost-effective one.
I also welcome the efforts that have been made to streamline the procurement process, which will allow for the earliest contract award to take place in early summer next year.
Like many of my constituents, I want to see progress on the ground as soon as possible. Dualling the A9 isn’t just about boosting the Highlands’ economy and improving connectivity; it’s also about making Scotland’s longest road safer.
The tragedies that have occurred on the A9 are a painful reminder of the need for this programme to be delivered. I’m glad that the Scottish Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the programme, offering much-needed reassurance to communities across the Highlands.
I am also mindful of the need for improvements in sections of the A9 north of Inverness within my own constituency. I continue to engage with Transport Scotland on these sections.
- Maree Todd is the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.
