Scottish Focus

Political overview: Scotland

The political landscape in Scotland was transformed in the recent elections held on 5th May. For the first time since the Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999 one party now has an overall majority at Holyrood. The Scottish National Party (SNP) led by Alex Salmond won a total of 69 seats in the election, while the remaining 60 seats were spread between Labour (37) seats, the Conservatives (15), the Liberal Democrats (5) and others (3). Scotland could see even bigger changes on the horizon as the SNP has promised to hold a referendum on Scottish independence over the next five years.

The Scottish Government is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland including housing, health, education, justice, rural affairs and transport. Its Total Managed Expenditure amounts to £33.6bn for 2011-12. The Scottish Government has carried out a review of the private-rented sector and is now working with a strategy group which is made up of a number of organisations including the NLA, Shelter and the Chartered Institute of Housing. The group will advise the Scottish Government on how it can support tenants, landlords and others to develop a professional, high quality private-rented sector which is able to provide sustainable housing solutions for Scotland in the 21st century

Key Statistics for Scotland

• Population (2009): 5,222,100
• Unemployment rate (April 2011): 8.1 per cent
• Proportion of private-rented property (2007): 8.2 per cent
• Average weekly rent, 2-bed property (May 2011): £138
• Long-term privately owned empty homes: 25,000 (more than six months)  
• Average house price (May 2011): £146,253
• Detached (May 2011): £224,015
• Semi-detached (May 2011): £139.008
• Terrace (May 2011): £117,524
• Flat (May 2011): £111,854

Sources: www.gro-scotland.gov.uk; www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk; www.ros.gov.uk; www.scotland.gov.uk; www.esds.ac.uk; www.rentright.co.uk and http://scotland.shelter.org.uk.

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