Unions demand ScotGov reaffirms commitment to rent controls. They say that if the government is serious about tackling the country's housing emergency then "robust rent controls need to be part of the solution." heraldscotland.com/news/24555510.…

With quotes from Helen Charman and her spectacular new book ‘Mother State: A Political History of Motherhood.’ Out last week and gripping from the first page. Highly highly recommend.

Today we called on this government to reaffirm their commitment to rent controls. Landlords are trying all they can to water down the bill. We need to stop them. Here are two things you can do: 👇 heraldscotland.com/news/24555510.…

Leaders from Unison, Unite, the GMB, RMT, UCU, PCS, Aslef and NUS have all written to the housing minister demanding the Scottish Government NOT abandon rent controls. Full story here: heraldscotland.com/news/24555510.…

This is @living_rent vs. the landlord lobby If it succeeds, measures contained in the Housing Bill are some of the most significant Scotland’s working class will have seen in decades. If you haven’t joined yet, now’s the time. We fight & win together ✊ livingrent.org/join

the snp have a choice - listen to their members, tenants, trade unions & the public who all want rent robust controls introduced before the end of this parliament OR give in to landlords, developers & lobbyists, who want to further squeeze scotland's tenants for profit

I asked the Foreign Secretary what role Britain has played in flying surveillance aircraft over Gaza, and whether the British army base in Cyprus is being used as a staging point for flights to Israel. He refused to answer.

What are “pro-Gaza MPs”? Yes, many are anti-Gaza in that they’re content to see it wiped off the map, but their problem with Palestinians isn’t simply a region. They would be anti-West Bank too if they had the chance. Once again a desperation to avoid saying the word “Palestine”.

The Grenfell Tower inquiry’s final report is out today for those who were affected. 7 years since the fire I can only imagine how they’re feeling. I know many will be thinking of them as well 💚

Today, as ScotGov announces £600m worth of cuts, this STUC table is worth sharing. It reveals the increased revenue were ScotGov to replace the current Council Tax with a progressive alternative, where households pay a proportion of the value of their property each year.

Every cut announced by the Scottish Government today will scar generations to come. It’s a shambles that we’re awaiting salvation from the UK Government when our government in Holyrood could have done so much more to help. Full statement below👇 stuc.org.uk/blogs/news/168…

Housing costs are a huge driver of poverty in Scotland. We are joining The Poverty Alliance and others to ask First Minister to take action to tackle child poverty in the Programme for Government. The FM must not delay or water down rent controls. #ScotPfG 👉 shorturl.at/EUfJU

The final report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has now been published. On this day, we remember the 72 lives lost. This report demonstrates beyond doubt that an agenda of deregulation cost lives. We share the grief and anger of the bereaved, survivors and residents.

On BBC Radio Scotland today talking about the Grenfell report. The victims and their families must see swift justice and both the U.K. and Scottish governments must act urgently to remove cladding and put people’s safety over profit. At 06.35 bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/li… Living Rent

if only there was some kind of policy which could prevent landlords from punishing tenants like this for being given extra rights

Current conditions tend to put a low value on disabled people’s lives & there’s an increasing absence of necessary provisions & resources for disabled people. There’s something obscene about promising more austerity + a fast-tracked assisted dying bill.

In both England and Scotland, governments need to call landlords' bluff on this blatant blackmail. If landlords want to sell - or use the empty threat of selling to evict their tenants and hike up rent for the next ones - councils must have the right of first refusal to buy.

This is an idea that actually has broad consensus even among people who don't usually agree with Living Rent - Shelter, Chartered Institute of Housing, ALACHO and more. The Scottish Government could lead the way and amend the new housing bill to do exactly this.