Social Justice, Housing and Local Government

Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Committee of @ScotParl. Examines matters related to social justice, social security, housing and local government.

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

The Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Committee was established in June 2026. Posts made from this date onwards will be on behalf on this Committee.

Learn about the Committee and its members: https://t.co/pYZM8FroPT

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

This account is now inactive until after the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May.

Information about the Committee’s work over this past Session 6: https://t.co/mByzK9FO8t

Information about the election: https://t.co/bQasNWCL9e

https://t.co/1yOiPCSKrO

[Scottish Parliament @ScotParl]

🔊 Today is Dissolution - the official end of this parliamentary session.

The Scottish Parliament shuts down so an election can happen, and MSPs no longer hold office. That means no more parliamentary work until a new Parliament is elected.

Find out more at our election hub: https://t.co/YUev5T6MJ2

[Scottish Parliament @ScotParl]

🔔 We're now in campaign recess 🔔

That means that no more debates or Committee meetings will be held during this session, unless Parliament is recalled.

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁📢 The Legacy report gives an overview of our work over the last 5 years, which we hope will help inform future committees of the issues they may want to pursue in the new session of Parliament. Read it here ➡️https://t.co/fychjeNDUz

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

Find out more about our work over the final months of this session of Parliament, by reading our latest newsletter 📰➡️https://t.co/JCx0BfYHhn

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

Rates relief for some hospitality venues was welcome – but there was a “sting in the tail” for larger businesses missing out, we heard.

At our final meeting of this session, we considered the Non-Domestic Rates (Misc Amendment) (Scotland) Regs 2026.

@ukhscotland Leon Thompson

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We also heard from Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance. Watch the meeting again: https://t.co/ahyV2dtomX

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

“A system that is broken”

@FionaCampbell74 was among the hospitality experts to give evidence on business rates.

At its last meeting of this session of Parliament, The Committee considered the Non-Domestic Rates (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026.

[Scottish Parliament Information Centre @SPICe_Research]

Following recently passed regulations, our new blog explains the changes to tenant complaints about dampness and mould in rented housing that come into force in October: https://t.co/0Sr0mvsqVm

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We took evidence from the Housing Cab Sec, Màiri McAllan MSP, before recommending that the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 - known as Awaab's Law - be approved.

[Scottish Parliament Information Centre @SPICe_Research]

Our new briefing, by SPICe academic fellow Dr Lewis Forsyth, explores how the council tax aligns with the six principles of Scottish tax policymaking, set out in the Scottish Government's 2021 Framework for Tax.
🔗 https://t.co/aOYeA7ZZQn

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We start Stage 2 of the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill today, which @Scotgov says will make the Visitor Levy easier and more flexible for councils and accommodation providers to operate.

The session will be live on SPTV from 2:50pm 📺 https://t.co/mb6ayiLw27

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We heard from a range of experts and organisations on new housing rules - including the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026, also known as 'Awaab's Law'.

Full meeting details ➡️https://t.co/WKyVb0Hgtf

📽️@ScotLandEstates , @Living_Rent

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We're recommending that @ScotParl agrees to progress the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.
➡️https://t.co/6lcNzROTdJ

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

Our new report on the draft Climate Change Plan describes it as “lacking in detail”, raises concerns about meeting heat pump installation targets and planning department resourcing, and asks for more detail on how a skilled trades gap will be addressed.
📰https://t.co/h1zNKxO8D6

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

Read our latest newsletter, and subscribe to keep up to date with the Committee's work 📰➡️https://t.co/rlRgzqdmEg

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We questioned Minister for Public Finance @Ivan_McKee as part of our scrutiny of @scotgov ‘s Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.

Watch the session again on SPTV 📺https://t.co/LGfWBsmxtb

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

This week, we continue our focus on proposed law which @scotgov say will make Visitor Levy schemes easier and more flexible to operate.
Minister for Public Finance @Ivan_McKee joins us from 9:30am. Watch live tomorrow 📺➡️https://t.co/UZ3IzQdjAs

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We’ll hear from Cab Sec @ShonaRobison on the draft Climate Change Plan before beginning our 2026/27 budget scrutiny with Housing Cab Sec Màiri McAllan.
Watch live from 9:30am ➡️https://t.co/aIPBqR35An

[Social Justice, Housing and Local Government @SP_SJHLG]

We’re seeking views on a proposed law which aims to make the Visitor Levy, or ‘tourist tax’, easier and more flexible to operate for councils and accommodation providers. Have your say here ➡️ https://t.co/jntp3PFIBQ