IMAGE: Kerry Mackintosh, Yvette Hoskins, Wilson Chowdhry, and Wayne Hoskins at the inaugural meeting of the Dundee RAAC Campaign Group.
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Yvette Hoskins, Vice Chair of the Dundee RAAC Campaign Group, was invited to give evidence to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on 18 March 2025 at 9:30 am, as part of its scrutiny of Building Safety in Scotland. She claims to have spoken to over 3,000 residents in RAAC-affected homes across Dundee and Angus.
Addressing the committee, she revealed that concerns about RAAC in properties in Dundee date as far back as the 1970s.
Yvette Hoskins stated:
“In our local area, I have met with over 3,000 residents in RAAC-affected homes—that’s homeowners and tenants. We have information that suggests RAAC was known about with a particular development in our area in 1977, 1978, and 1979. It was used as a pilot for testing how to deal with RAAC roofing. This has been going on for quite a long time. It needs to be fixed – the numbers are extremely high and increasing all the time.”
Recent reports indicate that 887 households in Dundee and 26 in Angus are currently affected.
'We Are Very Much on Our Own'
The campaigner called for the creation of a national fund, arguing that homeowners have been abandoned without support.
“We are not receiving any support, we’re not receiving any communication from local authorities, and very little from government bodies as well,” Yvette told the committee. “We are very much on our own. The impression being given is that anybody who bought under the right-to-buy scheme is responsible for their own homes. However, they were sold their properties—like any other homeowner—without knowing there was RAAC in them.”
She stressed that a national fund was essential: “If you don’t remove the RAAC, it causes issues for homeowners regarding lenders, mortgages, and insurance cover.”
Concerns Over RAAC Inspections
Yvette Hoskins also raised serious concerns over the way RAAC inspections are being conducted by local authorities, stating that many residents have reported inadequate assessments. She criticized the lack of transparency and information-sharing from Dundee City Council, contrasting it with Angus Council, which has taken a more cooperative approach with affected residents.
You can read Yvette's full submission on the Scottish Government website (here)
Statement from Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group
Wilson Chowdhry, who helped Yvette and her husband, Wayne Hoskins, start the Dundee RAAC Campaign Group, echoed the concerns, stating:
“The rapid escalation of the RAAC crisis in Scotland highlights the need for urgent intervention. Residents should not be left abandoned by the very institutions that should be protecting them. Local authorities and the Scottish Government must take immediate action to ensure safe and thorough inspections and to establish a national fund to support those impacted. Homeowners should not bear the burden of a crisis they did not create.”
The Dundee RAAC Campaign Group, alongside the UK RAAC Campaign Group, continues to call for decisive government action to address this growing housing crisis.
The UK RAAC Campaign Group, a dedicated advocacy organization focused on addressing the widespread issue of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), has submitted a crucial report to the Local Government, Housing, and Planning Committee in response to their review of Building Standards. Despite learning about the review late, Mr. Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, ensured the report was presented for consideration, even though oral witnesses had already been selected. The committee acknowledged the importance of the report and included it in their evidence review. You can read a copy on the Scottish Government website (here).