Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
MSP for Dundee East
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
Dear Shona Robison MSP,
Open Letter: Request for Leadership on RAAC Crisis: A National Fund Is Needed Now
I am writing to you on behalf of Mr. Wayne Hoskins and the many other homeowners in Dundee who have been deeply affected by the ongoing RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis. It is disheartening to note that, despite the scale and urgency of this issue, the response from your office to Mr Hoskins has been inadequate and dispassionate, especially given the profound impact on your constituents.
In Mr. Hoskins' recent correspondence, it is clear that he is asking for assistance, particularly with regard to the difficulties he is facing with his mortgage provider and insurance company. As you will know, both these sectors are protected by laws introduced by the UK Government, which have left many homeowners in an untenable position. A spokesperson from the Association of British Insurers has explicitly stated that domestic buildings insurance policies are generally not designed to cover defects, cracking, or collapse arising from building materials, such as RAAC. This leaves homeowners like Mr. Hoskins unable to seek proper insurance coverage or compensation for the damage caused to their homes.
Your response, which downplays the severity of the issue by focusing on the potential for legal action, seems wholly inadequate, especially considering the scale of the crisis in Dundee.
It is deeply disheartening to see your response suggesting that Mr. Hoskins should pursue legal action, while simultaneously excusing yourself from providing meaningful assistance. Your comment, "I understand that this will be primarily a legal dispute, and I was glad to read that you have sought advice from a solicitor in this matter. As a result of the legal nature of this complaint, there will be a limit on the assistance that our office can provide as MSPs are not permitted to become involved in legal disputes," is deeply troubling.
This response not only ignores the real and urgent need for direct government intervention, but it also fails to recognize that this crisis is not merely a legal issue—it is a public health and housing emergency. Your position and experience should have prompted you to offer more than just a referral to legal counsel; you should have been actively advocating for a national budget to address the crisis. This was something that was recently raised by Liam Kerr during Portfolio Questions in Parliament on 30th October, yet you made no mention of the need for a national budget to remedy the RAAC issues. Instead, you simply advised Mr. Hoskins to take the matter up through litigation, a process that, as you know, is likely to be a David versus Goliath battle for the affected homeowners.
Moreover, your failure to acknowledge the mental and emotional toll that this crisis has had on residents like Mr. Hoskins is deeply concerning. As someone who has held numerous cabinet positions, including Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing, and Local Government, you should have been in a position to detect the distress of your constituents and offered pathways for support or advocacy, rather than simply deflecting responsibility.
While you suggest that you could write to the Scottish Government or Dundee City Council on Mr. Hoskins' behalf, it is clear that what is needed is not just correspondence but a bold, national response. This crisis requires a national solution, with financial backing, and you, as a senior politician, have the influence and the duty to push for this. By extricating yourself from providing real solutions and focusing on a potential legal route that Mr. Hoskins was not yet pursuing, you have failed to provide the leadership your constituents need at this critical time.
Moreover, you must be aware of the petition I submitted to the Scottish Parliament Petition Committee, which has been shared with every MSP in the country. Your response to Mr. Hoskins, advising him to pursue legal action, seems disingenuous, particularly given your awareness of the background of these homes, many of which were built in 1965 by Scottish councils under the Government's right-to-buy scheme. These homes were constructed under policies that have led to the current crisis, and to suggest legal recourse as the only solution is a failure to address the root cause of the problem.
Your recent comment: "However, I note that you have queried whether Dundee City Council could make some financial assistance available to the homeowners who have been affected but are yet to receive a response. With your permission, we would be happy to write to the Council on your behalf to chase this up. We could also write to the Scottish Government to query whether they could provide some assistance, or signpost as to where you might be able to go for further support." is deeply distressing. It seems to indicate a lack of commitment to actively support a national solution and to prioritize what your constituents need most—financial and governmental intervention at a national level.
Your comment that you would "write to the Government" on his behalf is, frankly, insufficient. It is clear that you have the power and influence to push for a national budget to resolve this crisis, yet your response shows little passion or urgency in providing the assistance that your constituents desperately need.
Your response is a stark contrast to the urgency and commitment that is required to address the scale of the RAAC crisis in Dundee. The affected residents need more than just letters; they need action, advocacy, and a government that will stand by them in their time of need.
I urge you to reconsider your approach and to use your position to push for a national budget and immediate financial support to address this crisis. It is time for you to show leadership and ensure that the residents of Dundee receive the help they desperately need.
I look forward to your prompt response, not just in writing letters to the Council, but in leading the way to secure the financial assistance and reforms that are urgently needed.
Yours sincerely,
Wilson Chowdhry
Chairman
UK RAAC Campaign Group
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