A long-awaited meeting between Scottish Housing Minister Mairi McAllan and RAAC-affected homeowners in Clackmannanshire took place this week at Kilncraigs. The meeting was arranged at the Minister’s behest, following a formal request from Wilson Chowdhry, Leader of the UK RAAC Campaign Group.
Also in attendance were:
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Keith Brown MSP
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Brian Leishman MP
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Matthew Elsby, Better Homes Division
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Kevin Wells, Strategic Director for Place, Clackmannanshire Council
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RAAC homeowners from Tillicoultry
7 local RAAC Homeowners
The meeting had been scheduled for one hour but was further shortened to 55 minutes due to the Minister’s late arrival by over 30 minutes. Because the room had been booked by another group immediately afterwards, the session could not be extended — a fact that caused frustration among already distressed homeowners.
The Minister’s Opening: Cooperation, Frank Conversation and Limited Time
Mairi McAllan opened by stating that the goal was:
“…to speak frankly, in cooperation, and come together for solutions.”
A senior council officer echoed this tone, saying:
“We are trying to find a mutual solution while meeting council regulations and making the offers on the table as fair as possible.”
Keith Brown MSP remarked that the crisis “happened a long time ago” and he had hoped it “would have been resolved by now.”
Brian Leishman MP added that he has a strong relationship with homeowners and emphasised:
“We need a solution from the Scottish Government, as this is a devolved matter.”
Wilson Chowdhry Sets Out the Reality: Delay, Absence of Detail and Rising Costs
After introductions, Wilson Chowdhry opened the substantive discussions. Because of the limited meeting time, he had arranged for homeowners to submit their personal accounts in writing in advance.
He raised several critical concerns:
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Lack of cost clarity from Clackmannanshire Council regarding VAT, the 5.5% interest rate on proposed loans, and the likelihood of further unforeseen costs.
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Two years of waiting with no insurance cover and little progress.
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Months of unnecessary delays without explanation.
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A forthcoming meeting with Better Homes officials, where he intends to present more technical detail.
He then moved into the first two agenda points.
Agenda Point 1: The Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP)
Mr Chowdhry asked for an update on Clackmannanshire Council’s progress in applying for AHSP funds — a request he had already submitted directly to the Council and to the Scottish Housing Minister.
He expressed his concern that the current proposal does not meet AHSP criteria, because:
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It does not create new homes, as the programme requires.
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It lacks the necessary financial flexibility applied in Aberdeen.
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Clackmannanshire Council appears reluctant to use any of its own funds, unlike Aberdeen City Council, which contributed alongside a £10m Government grant.
Kevin Wells stated that the Council would pass through any Scottish Government funds to homeowners, but did not confirm whether the Council would use its own money to assist.
When asked how far along the AHSP application was, Wells admitted:
The proposal has not yet been submitted, though dialogue had begun.
Mairi McAllan Reiterates: No National RAAC Remediation Fund
The Housing Minister reaffirmed that:
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There will be no national RAAC remediation fund,
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The Scottish Government does not have the financial flexibility, and
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Although housing is devolved, these homes were sold under Right to Buy, which predates devolution.
She explained that when Aberdeen City Council requested access to an unused £10m grant pot, she had to decline — but she directed them instead to the AHSP, where she had been able to create financial flexibility.
She said she hoped that “discussion around the table” could lead to a solution, but reminded homeowners they were responsible for maintenance of their properties.
Mr Chowdhry intervened firmly:
“These properties were sold with a hidden defect. Government and councils knew RAAC was dangerous by the time these homes were sold — homeowners had no warning, no information, and no protection.”
Ms McAllan did not respond directly but appeared to accept the point.
Agenda Point 2: The Council’s Proposal — High Costs and High Risk
Kevin Wells then set out the Council’s current proposal:
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Full roof replacement, with homeowners offered either:
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A Voluntary Acquisition offer, minus £20,000–£22,000 for roof repairs, or
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A loan for their share of communal roof repairs at 5.5% interest, plus
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Potential VAT costs of 20%.
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He apologised that, despite the proposal being six months old, the Council still cannot confirm VAT liabilities.
Mr Chowdhry highlighted:
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NHS worker Lynsey McQuater would need to take on over £40,000 in debt, despite being close to paying off her mortgage.
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External render costs had been added — again without clarity.
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Most homeowners would be financially forced into Voluntary Acquisition, which he called “paltry”.
Ms McAllan appeared sympathetic, especially when homeowners described their experiences. Several became emotional and struggled to speak.
Mr Chowdhry reminded the room:
“These offers push already financially broken families into deeper crisis.”
Delivering Evidence: Fiona Crichton and Homeowners Speak Out
During the meeting, Fiona Crichton, Secretary of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, delivered detailed evidence to Housing Minister Mairi McAllan. This included:
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Statements from affected homeowners, highlighting the human and financial impact of RAAC on their families
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A report on the Clackmannanshire scandal, documenting delays, cost burdens, and governance concerns
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Allegations of corruption and mismanagement related to council handling of RAAC-affected properties
This submission ensured the Minister and officials had a clear, documented picture of both the systemic issues and the personal stories behind the crisis.
Mr Chowdhry noted that these contributions were essential, stating:
“It’s one thing to discuss numbers and processes — it’s another to see the real-life impact on families who have been abandoned for years. Fiona’s report, and the evidence from homeowners, leaves no room for ignoring the scale of this crisis.”
This marked a critical moment in the meeting, providing a factual foundation for the discussions on AHSP funding, voluntary acquisition, and the urgent need for legislative reform around mortgages and insurance for RAAC-affected homeowners.
Alternative Pathways: Demolition, Rebuild, and Using the £5.9bn Clackmannanshire Allocation
When asked again about the AHSP proposal, Mr Wells admitted it still had not been sent.
Mr Chowdhry expressed concern that:
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A roof-only repair model may fail AHSP criteria.
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A mixed solution could be possible:
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Two blocks demolished and rebuilt larger, funded from the £5.9bn allocated to Clackmannanshire area,
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One block repaired, reducing overall cost.
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Wells stated the £5.9bn is not easily accessed and is used across the whole region, including by RSLs and other councils.
Ms McAllan reiterated that the Aberdeen project worked because new homes were being created.
Mr Chowdhry asked whether a scheme based solely on Voluntary Acquisition could qualify — which would also deliver new homes. All homeowners present agreed they would accept this.
A Moral Challenge to the Scottish Government
Mr Chowdhry pressed the moral argument:
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That Scottish homeowners are victims of a latent defect that governments should have known about.
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That the Scottish Government has received record funding, including £50bn overall and £510m for housing, and should allocate some of this to RAAC homeowners.
He said:
“If the Scottish Government cannot protect its own citizens, it should return responsibility for all Scottish homes back to the UK Government.”
Ms McAllan called this political. Keith Brown MSP argued that responsibility should rest with the UK. Mr Chowdhry countered with the latest funding figures.
Homeowners Excluded From the RAAC Leadership Panel
During the meeting, Mr Chowdhry raised another significant issue:
Why have the UK RAAC Campaign Group and other homeowner groups not been invited to Scotland’s RAAC Leadership Panel?
He emphasised that those most affected — the homeowners themselves — had been excluded from the central forum where decisions and national policy discussions are taking place.
Mairi McAllan did not answer this question directly.
She did confirm that the Panel currently includes:
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The ABI (Association of British Insurers)
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Mortgage industry representatives
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Various institutional stakeholders
Mr Chowdhry pressed the point that it was unacceptable to include insurers and lenders — groups whose interests may conflict with those of homeowners — while excluding the very people living with RAAC.
He reminded the Minister that she had previously agreed to look into legislative reforms proposed by the UK RAAC Campaign Group, particularly around mortgages and insurance.
She reiterated that she would raise these issues with both the Scottish and UK Governments.
Mr Chowdhry made clear that these reforms were urgent:
“Mortgage prisoners whose homes are destroyed by latent defects or natural disasters must not be penalised for circumstances outside their control.
Their mortgages should automatically be converted to capital-repayment only. This must be the law.”
He also highlighted the need for:
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Stronger insurance obligations
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A legal duty for lenders to protect homeowners affected by structural defects
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Consistent access to affordable mortgage products for people stuck in crisis housing situations
Meeting Conclusions — and a Hint of Hope
The meeting ended abruptly due to time constraints, but some progress was agreed:
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Kevin Wells will submit the AHSP proposal requested by Wilson Chowdhry to the Housing Minister, with the aim of exploring whether current proposals can be augmented or supported by the Scottish Government.
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After the meeting, Wells spoke privately with Mr Chowdhry and indicated that he believed some funding would emerge, which could ease the financial and structural pressures facing homeowners.
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MP Brian Leishman also reiterated his commitment to present Mr Chowdhry’s petition to the UK Parliament. This petition, which can be read [here], is notable because it can be debated in Parliament without requiring the usual 100,000 online signatures.
These steps offer a small but meaningful glimmer of hope for RAAC-affected homeowners, who have been waiting far too long for clarity, fairness, and support.
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