The “abject failure” of the SNP-Greens’ rent control policy is today laid bare in official figures showing that rents rose faster in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK while it was in force.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics reveal that between September 2022 and March 2024, when the SNP-Green controls were in effect, private rental prices increased in Scotland by 16.5%.
This is higher than any other UK nation or region, including London.
During that 18-month window, the average rent paid by tenants in Scotland increased from £813 to £947 per month. The rises were even greater in our two largest cities, with the Lothian region showing an increase of 21.6% to £1,317 and Glasgow a jump of 22.5% to £1,191.
The figures come against the backdrop of the Scottish Government finally declaring a national housing emergency this week.
Scottish Conservative shadow housing secretary Miles Briggs said that the figures exposed the “disastrous” impact of the SNP-Green rent controls, which have compounded the devastating effects of Scotland’s housing crisis.
Scottish Conservative shadow housing secretary Miles Briggs MSP said: “These figures prove beyond all doubt the abject failure of the SNP-Greens’ rent control scheme.
“The Scottish Conservatives warned them that this would be disastrous for tenants by decimating the housing market and pushing prices up.
“Rent control schemes have not worked anywhere else in the world, but the arrogant nationalist coalition – backed yet again by Scottish Labour – ploughed ahead anyway.
“The result has been a deepening of the housing crisis that has grown on the SNP’s watch – and which is set to accelerate due to the brutal cuts contained in Shona Robison’s tax-and-axe budget.
“This week the SNP finally accepted the reality of the situation by declaring a national housing emergency – but they now need to act to tackle that emergency before homelessness rates soar.
“They should start by removing the provision for establishing permanent rent control zones from their housing bill.”
Notes to editors
SNP rent controls have seen rents rise in Scotland faster than anywhere else in the UK. Between September 2022 and March 2024, when SNP rent controls were in effect, private rental prices increased by 16.5% in Scotland – higher than any other UK nation or region including London. Rent prices in Scotland increased from £813 to £947 on average in that time. (ONS, 17 April 2024, link).
Rental prices in the Lothian region have increased by 21.6% to £1,317. According to the same ONS statistics, rents in the Lothian region went from £1,083 in September 2022 to £1,317 in March 2024 – an increase of 21.6%. (ONS, 17 April 2024, link).
Rental prices in Glasgow have increased by 22.5% to £1,191. ONS data states that in the Glasgow region, rents increased by 22.5% between September 2022 and March 2024, rising from £972 to £1,191. (ONS, 17 April 2024, link).
Rent increases between September 2022 and March 2024 (source: ONS)
|
Area name |
Increase since Sep-2022 |
|
UK |
N/A |
|
Great Britain |
12.8% |
|
England |
12.6% |
|
Wales |
12.7% |
|
Scotland |
16.5% |
|
Northern Ireland |
N/A |
|
North East |
9.1% |
|
North West |
12.4% |
|
Yorkshire and The Humber |
11.1% |
|
East Midlands |
11.3% |
|
West Midlands |
12.4% |
|
East of England |
9.6% |
|
London |
15.2% |
|
South East |
11.6% |
|
South West |
10.5% |