SEBG News Archive
Shortage of Skilled Labour Will Affect Upgrading of Scotland's Housing Stock
9th May 2005A shortage of skilled contractors in remote and rural areas will have a major impact on the Scottish Executive’s attempt to improve standards in housing stock, according to the Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG).
In its written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Communities Committee on the general principles of the Housing Bill, the Group has urged that local authorities must take account of the availability of local skills when considering whether, when and how to use the greater maintenance enforcement powers they are to be given under the new Bill.
In SEBG’s written evidence, Deputy Chairman Andrew Bruce Wootton states:
“The ultimate aim of the proposals – improvement of the Scottish housing stock to above Tolerable Standard and an updated and clearly defined Repairing Standard – is to be applauded. However, delivery of these objectives will depend not only on the commitment and ability of landlords to complete required repairs and improvements timeously, but on the availability of suitably skilled contractors to carry out the work. Most landlords do not employ building, plumbing, electrical staff and so on but subcontract local suppliers – generally in short supply.
“Indeed, this problem can be particularly acute in rural areas, where landlords are often small landowners or farmers who do not have the skills to maintain properties themselves. They need professional support and access to trades skills for the proper maintenance of let properties and often find it difficult to source the range of necessary skills locally. Local authorities must take account of the availability or otherwise of relevant skills when considering the use and timing of their enforcement powers.
“A phased introduction of increased repairing standards would be helpful for landlords, particularly of those older properties which are unsuited to modern methods and standards so that they can take account of the availability of skilled labour as well as finance when planning any upgrading work that the increased standards may necessitate.”
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
A copy of SEBG’s written evidence to the Communities Committee on the general principles of the Housing Bill is available on the SEBG website, www.sebg.org
SEBG is due to give oral evidence to the Communities Committee on the general principles of the Housing Bill on Wednesday 11th May 2005.
SEBG represents a group of progressive land-based estates with significant agricultural and rural business interests. It aims to promote a modern business approach in the management of Scotland's land resource in ways which deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. The Group seeks to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for rural areas and its members work hard across Scotland to stimulate enterprise and economic development.
Members of SEBG currently manage more than 3,000 private let properties across Scotland, mostly in rural areas.
For further information contact:
Gordon Robertson at Media House on 0131 555 1015, Ramsay
Smith at Media
House on 0141 226 3700 or Polly
McPherson at SEBG on 01620 861 898.
