Housing

Speaking to people on their doorsteps I have heard firsthand the anxiety caused by insecure housing and the frustration of being priced out of the property market. As a local councillor in Stonehaven, I have stood with many residents facing these exact challenges. I am determined to ensure that everyone in our community - from those in our coastal towns to those in our rural glens - has a safe, high-quality place to call home. As a parent, I also know how much we want the best for our children. We want them to have the opportunity to build their lives in the communities where they grew up, rather than being priced out of the area they love.

The SNP Scottish Government has always treated the need for affordable and social housing in Angus North and Mearns as a top priority. We understand that good housing is the foundation of everything else: it reduces pressure on our NHS, helps our children thrive in school, and boosts our local productivity. Since 2007, our commitment has been clear - we have delivered 1,931 affordable and social homes in Angus and a further 4,501 in Aberdeenshire.

Our vision is for everyone in Scotland to have access to a safe, warm home. This plan is backed by a record investment of £4.9 billion in affordable housebuilding over the next four years. This funding will support the delivery of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 10% in our rural and island communities and 70% dedicated to social rent. The 2026-27 Scottish Budget includes an investment of £926 million - a 20% increase on the previous year. We are already seeing the impact of this approach, with a 56% increase in housing approvals and a 22% increase in starts. Tackling the housing emergency remains the cornerstone of our mission to eradicate child poverty and grow our economy.

I know that for many young people and families in places like Stonehaven, Brechin, Montrose and Forfar, saving for a deposit feels impossible while rents continue to rise. We are committed to helping people break out of this "rent trap." Through our First Homes Fund, we will support first-time buyers by part-funding mortgage deposits with a joint equity contribution of up to £10,000. This £100 million annual scheme is expected to help 50,000 households over the course of the parliament, helping thousands of people achieve the dream of owning their first home.

To meet the scale of this challenge, we will establish More Homes Scotland, a new national housing agency focused on bringing simplicity and speed to the delivery of homes. We are also working to unlock the potential of Scotland's £20 billion in pension fund assets to support a large-scale programme of high-quality social housing. By working in partnership with local authorities and investors, we will develop sustainable funding models that tackle the housing emergency head-on.

Furthermore, we believe it is unacceptable for houses to lie empty while families search for a home. Since 2010, our £3.7 million investment in the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership has already helped bring almost 11,000 homes back into use. Alongside this, we will continue to enhance the planning system and the National Planning Hub to ensure local authorities have the expertise required to speed up delivery where it is needed most.

Casting your vote for me and the SNP on 7 May will ensure you elect a constituency MSP who truly understands our local needs and a government determined to take the bold action necessary to ensure that everyone in Scotland has a place to truly call home.