SNP housing secretary Mairi McAllan launched a new £4.9 billion four-year plan today to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency and soaring child homelessness.

In her first major act since her appointment, Ms McAllan set out her road map at Holyrood committing the Scottish government to doubling the fund for the acquisition of homes by social housing providers from £40 million to £80m.

She also outlined government intervention in local planning to speed up approval of new housing developments and exemption of mid-market and build-to-rent properties from proposed rent controls, as part of a plan she says will deliver 36,000 more affordable homes by 2029-30.

Telling MSPs that “no woman should flee violence only to face homelessness,” she also pledged £1m to a national “fund to leave” which could support as many as 1,200 women and children in escaping domestic abuse.

Stating that the 10,000 children now languishing in temporary accommodation across Scotland as being “at the heart of my mission,” Ms McAllan said: “Tackling the housing emergency will be a cornerstone in our efforts to achieve the Scottish government’s key priority of eradicating child poverty. 

“I am determined this action plan will deliver positive and lasting change.”

Responding, Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin said: “Eighteen months ago, the SNP government acknowledged the crisis.

 “Now, finally, the government has published a housing strategy — but it lacks ambition.

“The promise to move children out of temporary accommodation is welcome, but the SNP’s plan still consigns at least 9,200 kids to these shameful conditions.

 “This is still too little, too late and it will not tackle the housing emergency the SNP created.

“We need a change in direction and a change in government to tackle the housing emergency.”