Scottish Greens attempt to strengthen evictions ban
The Scottish Greens will attempt to strengthen a ban on evictions, as well as seek checks and balances on Scotland’s emergency laws to ensure citizens’ rights are protected during the COVID-19 lockdown.
As parliament rushes through emergency legislation, Greens will lodge amendments to the proposed halt on evictions to further protect tenants. They will also seek clarification on how the lockdown will be enforced by police.
Green proposals would temporarily remove the ability for landlords to serve their tenants with notice to leave and introduce measures to allow students to get early termination of their leases in private student accommodation.
Commenting, Scottish Green housing spokesperson Andy Wightman said: “While I welcome the Scottish Government’s move to guarantee no evictions during this crisis, the extension of the notice to quit period to six months is not strong enough. No-one should be in receipt of a notice to quit during the emergency period. After all, we don’t know how long this crisis will last. Also, students should not be forced to pay for accommodation they cannot use.”
Responding to the emergency bill, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “This week’s emergency legislation is necessary and will enable government to deal with the current public health crisis which has had such an impact on our day-to-day lives.
“Its vital these new powers also consider our human rights in the context of this pandemic, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable. That means the new powers must be reviewed regularly and the use of them must be open for meaningful scrutiny.
“With these laws we are placing great trust in our police and government to use new powers proportionately and with respect. All use of these powers must be held up to scrutiny, which the Scottish Greens will continue to do.”