Scottish RAAC Homes: Guidance Arrives, Action Still Missing

Scotland’s Latest RAAC Update: Progress, Problems, and the Growing Need for UK-Wide Action

On 7 November 2025, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing provided the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee with a written response to their review of Building Standards—a review to which Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, had submitted evidence (click here). In her reply, Mairi McAllan offered an important update on Scotland’s national response to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Annex C of her letter gives the clearest insight yet into how the Scottish Government views the crisis—and what actions it is, and is not, prepared to take.  You can read the full response from Mairi McAllan, which was forwarded to Mr Chowdhry in recognition of his role as a contributor to the Committee’s review. (here).

For thousands of homeowners and tenants trapped in unsafe or uninsurable properties, the update is a mixture of welcome steps forward and deeply concerning gaps.

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1. Guidance on RAAC: Progress—but still too slow

The update confirms that the Scottish Government has been working with professional bodies to improve official guidance on RAAC in domestic settings.

• A consumer-facing guide from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) was finally published in April.

• Technical guidance, led by the Institution of Structural Engineers, is still in the final stages and due by the end of the year.

Once complete, this guidance will be shared across local authorities, housing organisations, industry bodies, and the new RAAC in Housing Leadership Group. The Government also intends to brief the financial services sector—including insurers and mortgage lenders—to help them understand the implications.

This is a crucial step: without consistent, trusted technical guidance, many homeowners remain stuck in limbo because banks and insurers refuse to engage. But it is also a reminder that nearly two years after RAAC triggered emergency closures across Scotland, domestic guidance is only now nearing completion.

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2. Financial Support: A patchwork, not a plan

The Cabinet Secretary reiterates that the Scottish Government “fully supports” councils trying to find solutions for affected households—but stops short of committing national funding.

Aberdeen gets flexibility, not funding

The only concrete financial measure in the update is the decision to give Aberdeen City Council flexibility over an old £10m infrastructure commitment. This allows the council to redirect its own freed-up money towards RAAC if it chooses. The Scottish Government is explicit, however, that how Aberdeen uses the money is entirely up to them.

For residents, this remains a far cry from dedicated RAAC remediation funding.

Calls for a UK-wide fund

The Cabinet Secretary stresses again that only the UK Government has the financial capacity to create a UK-wide RAAC remediation scheme. She argues that Westminster bears responsibility because many affected homes were sold under Right to Buy—before housing powers were devolved.

Despite repeated letters to both the former Deputy Prime Minister and the current Secretary of State for Housing, the UK Government position remains unchanged: no RAAC fund for residential properties.

For homeowners trapped in danger zones, this ongoing governmental stalemate provides no relief.

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3. Why Scotland refuses to use the Building Safety Levy for RAAC

The update makes clear that the forthcoming Scottish Building Safety Levy (SBSL) will not be used for RAAC remediation.

The reasoning?

• SBSL is designed to pay for cladding remediation.

• Using it for RAAC would require “extensive assessment and consultation.”

• Current developers would object to paying for structural defects dating back to the 1950s–70s, long before they existed.

This position avoids a political battle with today’s construction industry—but leaves RAAC homeowners wondering where support is supposed to come from.

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4. Access Problems in Mixed-Tenure Blocks

One of the most common issues reported by residents—especially in terraced and mixed-tenure properties—is gaining access for surveys and repairs when some owners refuse.

The Government acknowledges this is “continuing to be raised” and confirms that officials are now exploring whether additional legislative powers could be given to councils to force access where safety is at risk.

This is a significant shift. Until now, councils often claimed they had no legal mechanisms to compel uncooperative owners, even when RAAC posed a severe structural risk.

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5. The Scottish Government’s Role: Coordination, but limited intervention

The Cabinet Secretary emphasises Scotland’s national leadership in RAAC response:

• The RAAC Cross Sector Working Group (established August 2023)

• National data gathering across public buildings

• Ongoing engagement with structural engineers

• A new RAAC in Housing Leadership Group

She highlights that Scotland’s data collection is significantly stronger than England’s, criticising the UK Government’s “desk-based exercise” in comparison to Scotland’s full survey programme.

However, coordination is not the same as funding—and for many affected households, coordination alone does not stabilise their homes, pay for surveys, or resolve insurance dead-ends.

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6. What’s Still Missing?

Despite the flurry of activity described in the update, several major gaps remain:

No dedicated funding

Neither the UK nor Scottish Government has committed financial support for homeowners.

No national remediation strategy

Councils are left to develop their own approaches, resulting in postcode-based disparities.

No interim safety measures for displaced households

Residents forced from their homes—some for over a year—still have no clarity on compensation or long-term housing solutions.

No legal framework for rapid access or emergency repairs

The exploration of new powers is welcome, but it comes very late in the crisis.

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Conclusion: Acknowledgement without action will not fix RAAC

The Cabinet Secretary’s update shows that Scotland recognises the scale of the RAAC crisis. The Government is coordinating, gathering data, drafting guidance, and meeting with councils and residents. These are important steps.

But for homeowners and tenants still living with collapsing roofs, unaffordable repairs, and uninhabitable homes, the message remains deeply unsatisfying:

There is still no funding.
There is still no national remediation programme.
And there is still no plan for how ordinary residents are supposed to survive this crisis.

With both governments pointing to each other, the people living in RAAC-affected homes continue to pay the price.

The Scottish Government may call for a UK-wide RAAC remediation fund—but until real money and real legislative solutions are put on the table, thousands of families remain stuck in danger and uncertainty.  

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, stated:

"Ultimately, while a UK-wide approach would be the most logical and equitable solution, the absence of Westminster leadership cannot become an excuse for continued paralysis. The Scottish Government has a clear duty of care to the people who live here. RAAC homes exist in Scotland today, and the families trapped within them cannot wait on political negotiations that may never bear fruit.

"If the UK Government will not act, then Holyrood must. Whether through emergency legislation, targeted financial mechanisms, or a bespoke Scottish RAAC remediation programme, the responsibility to protect Scottish residents from structural danger rests squarely with the Scottish Government. The crisis is real, immediate, and growing—and Scotland must find a solution, regardless of what Westminster chooses to"

Join the Fight

If you or someone you know is affected by RAAC, or if you want to support our campaign, follow us on social media and get in touch. Together, we can make sure no one is left to face this crisis alone.

Sign our petitions: 

JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PETITION (CLICK HERE)  OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION: (CLICK HERE)

📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
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#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence   

Renfrewshire RAAC Homeowners Left Abandoned as Housing Minister Ignores Pleas for Help

IMAGE: Wilson Chowdhry leads the first-ever protest demanding justice for RAAC homeowners in Renfrewshire, 11 October 2025 (click here).

Homeowners across Renfrewshire, are facing an unbearable situation — trapped in homes built with the dangerous concrete material RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), with no support, no answers, and no clear path forward. Despite the mounting anxiety and financial strain on families, their calls for help are being met with silence.

In early October, Jodie Hillcoat, Chair of the Renfrewshire RAAC Campaign Group, and Wilson Chowdhry, campaigner and community advocate, jointly wrote to Housing Minister Mairi McAllan urgently requesting a meeting to discuss the crisis. More than a month later, they have yet to receive any response. Read letter (here)

This silence has deepened the despair among affected residents — many of whom fear losing everything they’ve worked for.

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339 Homes, Hundreds of Lives in Limbo

In Renfrewshire, 339 properties have been identified as affected by RAAC. Of these, 55 are owned by Linstone Housing Association, 122 by Bridgewater Housing Association, and the remaining 177 are privately owned — the second largest number of private RAAC homeowners in any local authority area across Scotland.

The sheer scale of this crisis makes the lack of government engagement all the more shocking. Hundreds of families are being ignored at a time of real vulnerability.

All of the affected homes were originally built by the Scottish Special Housing Association (SSHA) — a division of the UK Government’s Scottish Office — before being transferred to housing associations through Scottish Homes, SSHA’s successor. At the time, residents were told that these new local housing associations would ensure affordable, high-quality homes for communities.

Decades later, that promise has crumbled — quite literally.

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Trapped by Silence and Inaction

Private homeowners, many of whom purchased their properties directly from the housing associations, now find themselves entirely abandoned. Because the homes were originally built by or transferred through the housing associations, local representatives have refused to meet residents, claiming it is not their responsibility.

Jodie Hillcot explains:

“For over a year, we’ve tried to meet our housing associations and elected representatives — but the doors just keep closing. Linstone has never met with residents, and Bridgewater cancelled the meetings we had arranged. We’ve been left completely in the dark, with no guidance and no compassion.”

Renfrewshire Council has confirmed that no funding will be made available for housing associations, and Linstone has reiterated this stance, claiming that the Scottish Government has offered no financial help. This effectively leaves homeowners shouldering the full cost of repairs — estimated between £20,000 and £30,000 per property.

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No Payment Plans, No Options, No Way Out

Despite the immense costs involved, no information has been provided by either housing association about potential payment options or financial assistance.
Homeowners have also received no clarity on whether they might be allowed to defer repayment until after selling their property, an option that could at least allow some to move on.

In other local authority areas, where families have been unable to meet the financial probity requirements for council-backed loan offers, residents have at least been given the alternative of a voluntary acquisition process — allowing councils to purchase the homes and relieve owners of the financial burden, albeit often at a fraction of the property’s true value.

However, in Renfrewshire, the housing associations have not offered this solution, leaving affected families with no safety net whatsoever.

Jodie Hillcot adds:

“People are frightened. Many can’t get finance, and others simply can’t afford to lose what little equity they have. Some families are growing, but they’re stuck — unable to sell, unable to move, unable to live without fear. Paying for these repairs will eat into equity that should rightfully be theirs.”

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A Letter Ignored — and Hundreds Left in Fear

The joint letter from Hillcot and Chowdhry to Housing Minister Mairi McAllan sought a meeting to discuss potential support mechanisms for affected homeowners, urging her to act swiftly to prevent further hardship. Yet more than a month has passed without even an acknowledgment from the Minister’s office.

This failure to respond is particularly unforgivable given the scale of the crisis in Renfrewshire — where 177 private homeowners, alongside hundreds of tenants, remain in limbo.

Wilson Chowdhry said:

“The Scottish Government’s silence is shameful. Renfrewshire has one of the highest concentrations of RAAC homes in the country — yet the Housing Minister cannot find the time to speak to the people living in them. These families didn’t cause this crisis — they bought homes in good faith, believing they were safe and well-built. Now they face financial ruin while government departments and housing associations pass the buck. Every day that passes without action deepens the injustice.”

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A Growing Crisis Across Scotland

The situation in Renfrewshire mirrors a wider crisis facing homeowners across Scotland, where RAAC has been discovered in social housing, public buildings, and private homes. While some councils and housing associations have taken proactive steps to assess and support affected residents, Renfrewshire’s homeowners feel completely abandoned.

“We need leadership, empathy, and urgent solutions,” said Hillcoat. “Instead, we’ve been met with silence. We are ordinary families — teachers, carers, shop workers — not developers or speculators. We just want safe homes and a fair solution.”

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Advocating for Solutions: The Affordable Housing Solutions Programme

Given the lack of financial support for affected homeowners and the uncertainty surrounding repair costs, Wilson Chowdhry, in his capacity as Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, has written to the Housing Minister requesting that the Affordable Housing Fund be made accessible to all RAAC-affected regions across Scotland.

This fund has already demonstrated its potential impact: in Aberdeen, it enabled the council to offer a fairer deal to long-suffering homeowners, helping to alleviate financial pressures and provide a practical pathway for resolving RAAC-related issues.

In particular, the fund could help address the situation in Renfrewshire, where it is available to both councils and housing associations, offering a potential pathway to support homeowners facing catastrophic repair costs. Some financial flexibility will be required to make this effective, and it is hoped that the Housing Minister will permit its use so that no family is left to bear this burden alone.

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A Plea for Justice

As winter approaches, uncertainty looms over hundreds of households. Homeowners remain anxious about whether their roofs are safe, whether their homes will hold their value, and whether they will ever receive the support they need.

Wilson Chowdhry concluded:

“RAAC has become a national scandal. The Government’s failure to respond is a betrayal of trust — one that puts lives, livelihoods, and mental health at risk. These families deserve to be heard. They deserve answers. They deserve justice.”

Join the Fight

If you or someone you know is affected by RAAC, or if you want to support our campaign, follow us on social media and get in touch. Together, we can make sure no one is left to face this crisis alone.

Sign our petitions: 

JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PETITION (CLICK HERE)  OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION: (CLICK HERE)

📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry

#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence   

Fife Shows Compassion, Clackmannanshire Demands £30,000, and Holyrood Delays: Scotland’s RAAC Homeowners Deserve Better

IMAGE: Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, leading a demonstration outside Clackmannanshire Council’s Kilncraigs building to demand justice for RAAC-affected homeowners.

Six weeks after an email from the Scottish Housing Minister’s office offered a long-awaited meeting, Tillicoultry’s RAAC homeowners are still waiting for answers.

On 1 October 2025, Emily Hornsey, Assistant Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan MSP, wrote to Lynsey McQuater, Chair of the Tillicoultry RAAC Campaign Group, confirming that Ms McAllan was available to meet residents on 19 November in Clackmannanshire. The message seemed to promise progress at last for the hundreds of homeowners displaced and financially devastated by the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in their homes.

"Good afternoon

 

With sincere apologies for the delay, I am following up on your request to meet with the Cabinet Secretary to discuss RAAC in private housing. The Cabinet Secretary would be able to meet with you in Clackmannanshire on the morning of Wednesday 19 November if agreeable. I have copied in our officials from the RAAC team who will be able to liaise further with you on the logistics of this meeting.

 

Kind regards,

Emily

 

Emily Hornsey

Assistant Private Secretary to Màiri McAllan MSP | Cabinet Secretary for Housing"

Yet, with less than two weeks remaining, no time or venue has been set, and repeated requests for information from campaigners have gone unanswered.

For Tillicoultry’s homeowners — many of whom have been out of their homes for over two years, still paying both mortgages and rent, and watching their properties deteriorate — this latest delay is more than bureaucratic frustration; it’s a symbol of political indifference.

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Government Apathy Meets Local Injustice

While Clackmannanshire Council continues to press forward with a controversial roof replacement project costing residents over £30,000 plus VAT, the Scottish Government has made it clear that no dedicated funding will be provided for RAAC-affected homes.

In a recent Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee session, Cabinet Secretary Màiri McAllan MSP ruled out any Scottish Government fund to assist councils or homeowners. Responding to Fulton McGregor MSP (Coatbridge and Chryston), she described RAAC as “a building standards issue” rather than a safety or public funding matter.

“RAAC is a product which, when maintained properly, can remain usable and safe,” McAllan said.
“It is still used in countries throughout the world… but public money simply cannot stretch to that scale.”

“The position on funding in respect of RAAC is that it is a homeowners’ issue — essentially a matter of building maintenance.” 

“There will be no RAAC pot of money from the Scottish Government. The only government across the United Kingdom that has flexibility to respond to unforeseen expenditure of this kind is the UK Government, which is why I am pressing them to create a national RAAC fund.”

Her words landed hard on the hundreds of displaced families now facing financial ruin, many of whom are trapped paying both rent and mortgages for homes they cannot access.

Meanwhile, a letter from Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander MP to Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, dated 5 November 2025, shifted responsibility firmly back to Holyrood:

“The powers of the UK Government to act are limited, given that housing is a devolved issue. The Barnett Formula ensures that any additional funding allocated in England for specific purposes, such as the repair of buildings affected by RAAC, will result in consequential funding for the Scottish Government. We would expect the Scottish Government to allocate the necessary resources to address the concerns of those affected by RAAC.”

This political tennis match — where responsibility bounces between Edinburgh and Westminster — has left homeowners in despair, with no relief in sight and mounting financial pressure as Clackmannanshire pushes forward with unaffordable roof replacement schemes.

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A Tale of Two Councils: Compassion in Fife, Crisis in Clackmannanshire

In Clackmannanshire, the council clings rigidly to its Scheme of Assistance Strategy, which offers only advice — no grants, no loans, and no financial relief. This stands in stark contrast to the authority granted under Section 71 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, which empowers councils to provide direct support in emergencies.

By comparison, Fife Council has shown what real leadership looks like. After public outrage over plans to charge homeowners up to £19,000 each for roof repairs in Kirkcaldy’s Ravenscraig flats, Fife revised its proposals and capped contributions at £7,000 per household.

Housing spokesperson Cllr Judy Hamilton said it best:

“A contribution of £19,000 is simply unaffordable for many homeowners… I asked officers to examine every possible way to reduce this burden. I’m pleased to confirm that the contribution has now been capped at £7,000 per household.”

That decision, reported by Allan Crow in the Fife Free Press (4 November 2025), demonstrated compassion and creativity — qualities painfully absent in Clackmannanshire’s approach.

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Homeowners’ Voices: Desperation and Disbelief

Almost a year before the Scottish Government’s decision to use the Affordable Homes Fund to support homeowners in Aberdeen, Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, had already raised the issue directly with the former Housing Minister, the First Minister, and numerous local authorities, including through deputations across the country. At the time it appears there was simply no appetite for such a solution. In his most recent letter (3rd November 2025) to Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan MSP and to Kevin Wells, Strategic Director: Place at Clackmannanshire Council, he reiterated this proposal — seeking fair compensation for RAAC homeowners and the creation of an energy-efficient new-build project that would benefit both residents and the council. Despite the clear precedent and potential benefits, no response was received.

Despite the clear precedent and potential benefits, no response has been received. 

This lack of action has left homeowners trapped in a dire situation. Fiona Crichton, a Clackmannanshire homeowner and Secretary of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, shared her frustration:

“I’m shocked and saddened to learn that Clackmannanshire Council aren’t securing grant funding that could be available to them. Fife Council have shown what’s possible — there, owners are able to pay just £7,000 with a £116 per month interest-free loan. If we could secure this kind of option, it would get us out of the nightmare we’ve been living.”

She added:

“I haven’t been able to get into my flat for over two years. If I want to get it fixed, I’m being hit with massive bills of over £30,000. It’s simply unaffordable for any normal person with a family to support. Getting a similar solution to Fife’s would be the break we desperately need.”

The combination of government inaction, council rigidity, and astronomical costs continues to leave families in limbo, financially strained, and emotionally exhausted — highlighting the urgent need for practical intervention and fair financial solutions.Wilson Chowdhry: “A Systemic Failure of Compassion”

Wilson Chowdhry, who has been at the forefront of the UK RAAC campaign, condemned both governments for their lack of urgency and empathy:

“The Scottish Government’s stance that RAAC is a mere ‘building maintenance issue’ completely disregards the reality faced by hundreds of displaced homeowners. You cannot ‘maintain’ a crumbling material that engineers have long since deemed unsafe. This is not about neglectful owners — it’s about systemic failure.”

He went on to criticise the government’s failure to even organise the promised meeting:

“It is shocking that, despite months of requests, the Cabinet Secretary’s team has failed to confirm the time and place of a meeting that could determine the future of so many Scottish families. This neglect sends a painful message — that ordinary people suffering through no fault of their own are simply not a priority.”

On the actions of Clackmannanshire Council, Chowdhry was equally forthright:

“Families are being asked to pay £30,000 or more for roof replacements — sums that would bankrupt even the most prudent homeowner. For many, the only way out will be forced sales under unfair voluntary acquisition schemes, amounting to nothing less than financial expropriation.”

He drew a sharp contrast with the actions of Fife Council:

“Fife Council has shown that compassion and common sense can coexist. Their decision to cap homeowner costs at £7,000 demonstrates real civic leadership. Meanwhile, Clackmannanshire Council’s obstinate refusal to explore similar options is a betrayal of the very residents they are meant to protect.”

And finally, he summed up the moral and political crisis facing Scotland’s RAAC victims:

“We are watching a two-tier Scotland emerge — one where residents in Fife receive support and dignity, while those in Clackmannanshire are left destitute. The moral disparity is staggering. RAAC is not just a technical issue — it’s a humanitarian one. Behind every crumbling roof is a broken family. It’s time our leaders treated this crisis with the urgency and empathy it deserves.”

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A Growing Sense of Betrayal

The ongoing silence from the Scottish Government, coupled with the inaction of local authorities like Clackmannanshire, is fuelling growing anger across affected communities. Homeowners are being financially and emotionally drained while politicians trade responsibility and delay decisions.

Fife has proven that solutions are possible — if there is political will. For Tillicoultry’s homeowners, hope is running out fast.

As Wilson Chowdhry concluded:

“When the Cabinet Secretary finally meets with residents — if she does — she must come prepared not with sympathy, but with solutions. Empty apologies and bureaucratic platitudes will no longer suffice.”

Join the Fight

If you or someone you know is affected by RAAC, or if you want to support our campaign, follow us on social media and get in touch. Together, we can make sure no one is left to face this crisis alone.

Sign our petitions: 

JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PETITION (CLICK HERE)  OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION: (CLICK HERE)

📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry

#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence  

Cracks in the System: West Lothian Homeowners Still Waiting for RAAC Support

IMAGE: Wilson Chowdhry leads West Lothian homeowners in protest outside the Civic Centre, calling for urgent action on the RAAC housing crisis (2024)

West Lothian, Scotland — November 2025

Homeowners across West Lothian continue to face financial and emotional turmoil as no tangible progress has been made to support those living in properties affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Despite repeated promises, West Lothian Council has failed to move beyond offering basic advice through its Scheme of Assistance — leaving residents in a state of ongoing uncertainty and distress.

Little Progress Since September 2024 Meeting

Following the West Lothian Council Executive’s discussion on RAAC in September 2024, there was hope that a meaningful support framework might finally emerge. However, more than a year later, there have been no concrete updates or new initiatives announced. The situation remains largely unchanged for the estimated 337 private homeowners in West Lothian whose properties are affected — many of whom continue to face serious safety concerns, collapsing property values, and a frozen housing market.

As of the most recent communications, West Lothian Council continues to rely solely on its Scheme of Assistance Strategy, which offers advice but no financial relief. This minimalistic approach falls far short of what is possible under Section 71 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, which empowers councils to provide direct financial assistance, grants, or loans to homeowners in crisis.

This lack of local initiative is particularly striking when compared with developments in Fife, where the council has demonstrated both compassion and creativity in supporting its residents. According to a report by Allan Crow, Editor of the Fife Free Press (4 November 2025), Fife Council dramatically revised its plans to charge homeowners up to £19,000 each for roof repairs to three tower blocks in Kirkcaldy, after widespread outrage and recognition that such costs were “simply unaffordable.”

Following public backlash, the council apologised to residents and capped their contributions at £7,000, with Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife’s housing spokesperson, confirming that the authority would carry the financial risk while seeking external funding to reduce costs further. She stated:

“A contribution of £19,000 is simply unaffordable for many homeowners, and I asked council officers to examine every possible way to reduce this burden. I’m pleased to confirm that the contribution has now been capped at £7,000 per household.”

This example highlights the financial flexibility councils already possess under the Scheme of Assistance — flexibility that Fife Council used to alleviate distress, not deepen it.

By contrast, in Clackmannanshire and West Lothian, affected homeowners have been left to shoulder the full cost of the RAAC crisis. Many are paying both rent and mortgages, struggling to survive under an unbearable financial burden while councils appear intent on shifting all responsibility onto those least able to bear it.

Despite repeated guidance from former Housing Minister Paul McLennan MSP, who made clear that local authorities have discretion to financially assist homeowners in distress, West Lothian Council has yet to activate any such mechanisms.

The contrast could not be clearer: while Fife Council acted decisively to protect its residents, other councils have chosen bureaucratic inertia over compassion — leaving hundreds of families trapped in unsafe, unsellable homes with no meaningful route to recovery.Homeowners Face Real-World Consequences

While political discussion drags on, the human toll continues to mount. Homeowners are finding themselves unable to sell, remortgage, or insure their homes — with many now living in properties they cannot move on from or afford to repair.

Karen, a homeowner from the Craigshill area of West Lothian, has experienced first-hand the devastating financial and emotional impact of the RAAC crisis. What began as a routine house sale quickly spiralled into a nightmare that has left her family trapped.

Earlier this year, Karen decided to sell her property — a well-maintained family home that she’d hoped would fetch close to £190,000. She commissioned a survey from D.M. Hall, one of Scotland’s most respected surveyors, expecting a straightforward process. Instead, the surveyor identified possible RAAC in her roof structure and noted it as a Category 2 risk on the home report.

At the time, Karen was reassured that it wouldn’t seriously affect the sale.

“The surveyor told me not to worry — he said people were still getting mortgages on homes like mine and that lenders weren’t rejecting them outright,” Karen recalled. “So we put it on the market and started getting interest straight away.”

Within weeks, she received five competitive offers, all within the £170,000 range. But by the time she was ready to move forward, the situation had changed dramatically.

“Some time later, I called my surveyor again, and he told me that one of the major lenders — I believe it was Nationwide — had decided it would no longer provide mortgages on any homes containing RAAC. He warned me that once a major lender takes a stance like that, others usually follow suit — and that’s exactly what happened.”

One by one, every buyer had their mortgage application rejected. What should have been a celebratory sale collapsed overnight.

“All five offers fell through. Every single one,” Karen said. “We had no choice but to take the house off the market. It was devastating. Unless you find a cash buyer, no one can buy a RAAC house now. It’s just impossible.”

Since then, Karen’s property has effectively become unsellable. She remains in a home she can no longer move on from — and one that may require costly structural repairs she cannot afford.

“A similar house on my street recently sold for around £95,000 to a cash buyer,” she explained. “That’s half of what it was worth just months ago. Families like mine have lost tens of thousands of pounds overnight. We’ve done nothing wrong, but we’re the ones paying the price.”

The emotional toll has been just as heavy as the financial one.

“It’s incredibly stressful,” she said. “You feel helpless. There’s no financial support, no compensation, no guidance that changes anything. We’re living in homes that we can’t sell, that may not be safe, and no one seems to be listening.”

Despite assurances from officials, there has been no meaningful progress since Karen’s ordeal began in the spring. She and her neighbours are now waiting to hear whether they will be included in a proposed visit by the Housing Secretary in December, though no invitations or details have been shared.

“We’ve heard the Housing Secretary is coming,” Karen said, “but none of us have been contacted. We’re still completely in the dark. Nothing has moved forward politically or practically. We’re just stuck — waiting for someone to take responsibility.”

Karen’s story is far from unique. Across Linlithgow Bridge, Broxburn, Bathgate, and Craigshill, hundreds of homeowners now face the same impossible reality — properties they can neither sell nor repair, while financial institutions and public bodies pass the responsibility back and forth. Mounting Pressure on West Lothian Council

Campaigners, led by Wilson Chowdhry of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, have expressed deep frustration at the Council’s lack of decisive action:

“It is disappointing that despite clear guidance from the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council has not stepped up to provide the much-needed support for homeowners dealing with RAAC.

Section 71 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 provides councils with the power to offer real, tangible help — including financial support — yet West Lothian has chosen not to use these provisions. Homeowners need solutions now, not more delays.”

The UK RAAC Campaign Group continues to call for immediate action from both West Lothian Council and the Scottish Government, urging the establishment of a dedicated financial assistance scheme, including grants, interest-free loans, or partial funding support.

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Upcoming Visit from the Housing Secretary

The Scottish Housing Secretary, Màiri McAllan MSP, is expected to visit West Lothian on 3 December 2025, a development that has sparked cautious optimism among RAAC-affected homeowners. However, despite the significance of this visit, residents have yet to receive formal invitations or specific details, fuelling frustration and reinforcing perceptions that engagement with those directly impacted remains superficial and poorly managed.

This sentiment was echoed by Kerry Mackintosh, Vice Chair of the UKRCG and spokesperson for West Lothian homeowners, who expressed deep disappointment over the ongoing lack of clarity:

“I am very disappointed and upset that the UK RAAC Campaign Group has been waiting over six weeks for confirmation of the time and venue for the 3 December homeowners’ meeting in West Lothian. It is unacceptable that there has been no clear communication. This delay shows a worrying lack of support or empathy from Màiri McAllan towards families suffering through no fault of their own — families who have lost their homes and life savings because of an undisclosed structural defect in RAAC-built properties.

I lived for twenty years in a house that was visibly falling apart — a place my two children and I feared could collapse at any moment. No family should ever have to live like that. I am now fighting for other homeowners in Tillicoultry to receive the same justice that ten homeowners achieved in Deans South. I refuse to allow more families to suffer the same fate as the 76 who had their lives devastated by government inaction and the bureaucratic indifference of West Lothian Council. Hearing the stories of those now affected brings back my own trauma — this issue should have been resolved long ago.”

The delay is particularly frustrating given that Màiri McAllan’s office had already confirmed the Secretary’s availability for a meeting on that date. In a message sent on 1 October 2025, Emily Hornsey, Assistant Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary, wrote:

“With sincere apologies for the delay, I am following up on your request to meet with the Cabinet Secretary to discuss RAAC in private housing. The Cabinet Secretary would be able to meet with you in West Lothian on the morning of Wednesday 3 December if agreeable. I have copied in our officials from the RAAC team who will be able to liaise further with you on the logistics of this meeting.”

Despite this correspondence, no further details have been provided, leaving campaigners concerned that yet another opportunity for meaningful engagement could be mishandled.

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A Community Still Waiting

More than a year and a half after RAAC was officially identified as a critical structural concern in further West Lothian homes — and over two decades after the Deans South debacle of 2004, which should have served as a stark warning — affected residents are still waiting for meaningful government action.

There is no financial aid, no agreed repair framework, and no clarity on when, or even if, a resolution will arrive. The human cost continues to grow, as homeowners like Karen endure sleepless nights over falling property values, mounting repair bills, and fears for the safety of their homes and families.

Until decisive political action is taken, West Lothian’s RAAC homeowners remain, quite literally, living on unstable ground.

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TAKE ACTION
👉 Join the UK RAAC Campaign Group Facebook Page
✍️ Sign the UK Government Petition and Scottish Government Petition
📺 Watch the First National and International News Feature on the RAAC Housing Crisis

No Safety, No Funding, No Future: The Growing Crisis Facing Renfrewshire's RAAC Homeowners

By Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman – UK RAAC Campaign Group

The latest correspondence from Linstone Housing Associations has left Renfrewshire RAAC residents reeling. The letter, dated October 2025, confirms that tenders for remedial works to homes affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) will not begin until early 2026, with no financial support forthcoming from the Scottish Government.

The document outlines two proposed options — both involving full or partial roof replacement — but the real shock lies in its closing paragraphs. It confirms what many homeowners feared:

“The Scottish Government has confirmed that there will be no central funding available for Housing Associations or private property owners to support RAAC remediation works.”

This devastating statement follows the decision by Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Mairi McAllan MSP, announced at the RAAC in Housing Leadership Group meeting on 4 September 2025, to deny the creation of any national remedial fund for affected properties. Despite weeks of appeals from residents and campaigners, the Scottish Government remains unmoved — leaving families stranded with unsafe homes and no financial safety net.  Read more about this and watch video (here).

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Protest in Renfrewshire: A Cry for Justice

In response to the government’s inaction, the first-ever RAAC protest in Renfrewshire took place outside the Renfrewshire Council offices on Saturday, 11 October 2025. Organised by the UK RAAC Campaign Group, the demonstration drew national attention thanks to STV News, which broadcast coverage filmed by Laura Perry for the 6pm bulletin. 

Read more and watch news feature (here)

A small but determined group gathered to demand urgent government action, transparency, and fairness for the 329 households in Erskine and Linwood affected by RAAC construction defects.
Speakers included Wilson Chowdhry, Hannah Chowdhry, and Jodie Hillcoat, who chairs the Renfrewshire RAAC Campaign Group.

Despite the modest turnout, the event was a milestone — the first visible show of defiance from Scottish RAAC homeowners who have felt ignored and abandoned by both local and national authorities.

“RAAC-affected families deserve honesty, support, and a seat at the table,” said Wilson Chowdhry. “The government must now show leadership and meet directly with those whose lives have been turned upside down by this crisis.”

“People are living in constant fear and uncertainty,” added Jodie Hillcoat. “They don’t know if their homes are safe, what the future holds, or how they will cope if massive repair bills are passed on to them. It’s heartbreaking to see entire communities suffering while those in power refuse to listen or even meet with us.”

Future protests are already being planned outside Bridgewater and Linstone Housing Associations, as campaigners continue to push for transparency and protection for affected homeowners.

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Government Denial: McAllan Confirms No National Fund

During a Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee session in the Scottish Parliament, Mairi McAllan MSP reaffirmed the government’s stance:

“RAAC is a product which, when maintained properly, can remain usable and safe… Public money simply cannot stretch to that scale. The position on funding in respect of RAAC is that it is a homeowners’ issue — essentially a matter of building maintenance.”

She further stated:

“There will be no RAAC pot of money from the Scottish Government. We simply do not have the flexibility to provide that.”

This statement, delivered just weeks before the Renfrewshire protest, has deepened despair among homeowners. It not only dismisses the systemic nature of the crisis — caused by decades of public-sector construction policy — but also contradicts Scotland’s moral obligation to protect residents from structural hazards.

To suggest RAAC is merely a “maintenance issue” is grossly misleading. Homeowners did not design or approve the use of this material; it was sanctioned, built, and later sold by councils and housing associations under Right to Buy schemes — often without any disclosure of structural risk. Now, these same institutions are demanding payment from residents to fix the damage their own predecessors created.

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Letter to Mairi McAllan Still Unanswered

Following these troubling developments, I wrote directly to Cabinet Secretary Mairi McAllan, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the plight of affected residents in Renfrewshire and beyond.
As of today, no response has been received.

This silence speaks volumes. While officials delay and debate, families continue living under failing roofs, uncertain whether their homes will survive another winter. The lack of engagement from the Cabinet Secretary demonstrates a profound disregard for transparency and compassion — values the Scottish Government claims to uphold.

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A Pattern of Evasion

Ms McAllan’s insistence that the UK Government should bear responsibility for RAAC funding — citing limited “flexibility” in Scotland’s budget — is equally troubling. As the UK RAAC Campaign Group has repeatedly stated, housing safety is a devolved issue, and the Scottish Government holds both the authority and the financial means to intervene.

Indeed, Samantha Dixon MBE MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy, confirmed in a letter dated 8 October 2025 that:

“The Scottish Government is receiving the largest real-terms funding settlement since devolution, including £510 million in capital expenditure to deliver priorities such as the NHS, education, transport and housing.”

This point was reinforced once again in a letter received yesterday (5 November 2025) from The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, responding to my earlier correspondence on the growing RAAC crisis. Mr Alexander acknowledged the severity of the situation and the distress facing Scottish homeowners, but made clear where the responsibility lies. He wrote:

“The powers of the UK Government to act in this case unfortunately are limited, given that housing is an issue devolved to the Scottish Government. The Barnett Formula ensures that any additional funding allocated in England for specific purposes, such as the repair of buildings affected by RAAC, will result in consequential funding for the Scottish Government.

"The Scottish Government received a record £50bn funding settlement at the Autumn Budget, and we would expect the Scottish Government to allocate the necessary resources to address the concerns of those affected by RAAC — as will the people of Scotland.”

Mr Alexander’s letter leaves no ambiguity: the Scottish Government has both the funding and the responsibility to act. His statement underscores that if Westminster creates new funding in England for RAAC repairs, Scotland automatically receives its share through the Barnett Formula — yet the Scottish Government has so far refused to use this flexibility to support affected homeowners.

This persistent deflection of duty between Holyrood and Westminster serves only to prolong the suffering of families whose lives have been upended by structural defects they did not cause. It is time for Mairi McAllan and the Scottish Government to stop passing the buck, recognise their devolved responsibility, and deliver real financial relief to those in need.A Call for Accountability and a Public Inquiry

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A Call for Accountability and a Public Inquiry

The UK RAAC Campaign Group has compiled a comprehensive dossier of evidence showing decades of regulatory failure, political influence, and industrial lobbying that enabled RAAC’s widespread use in housing. Councils and government departments knew of its vulnerabilities but continued to sanction its use and sell affected homes to unsuspecting buyers.

We are now formally calling for a statutory Public Inquiry into:

• Historical government and industry collusion promoting RAAC and Siporex systems;

• Regulatory oversight failures;

• The sale of RAAC homes under Right to Buy without disclosure; and

• The human impact of displacement, financial ruin, and emotional distress.

Until these questions are answered and a national remediation fund is established, Scotland’s RAAC homeowners remain victims of systemic negligence.

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Conclusion

Bridgewater and Linstone’s latest letter confirms what many feared — the government intends to press ahead with remedial work planning without funding, without consultation, and without accountability.

Homeowners are being left to shoulder the cost of a national construction failure.

It is time for the Scottish Government to listen, meet affected families, and commit to fair and funded solutions.

Until that happens, campaigners across Scotland — from Renfrewshire to Clackmannanshire, Stirling, and Aberdeen — will continue to protest, petition, and speak out.

The message is clear: RAAC homeowners will not be silenced.

Join the Fight

If you or someone you know is affected by RAAC, or if you want to support our campaign, follow us on social media and get in touch. Together, we can make sure no one is left to face this crisis alone.

Sign our petitions: 

JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS  (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PETITION (CLICK HERE)  OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION: (CLICK HERE)

📧 Email: wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/WilsonChowdhry

#RAACScandal #Petition2113 #ScottishParliament #SupportRAACVictims #EndTheSilence  

Clackmannanshire RAAC Homeowners Deserve a Fair Deal – Time for the Scottish Government and Council to Act

IMAGE: Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, leading a demonstration outside Clackmannanshire Council’s Kilncraigs building to demand justice for RAAC-affected homeowners.

By Wilson Chowdhry

2 November 2025

I have today sent a new open letter to Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Housing, the First Minister, and Clackmannanshire Council, calling on them to work collaboratively to secure a fair and permanent solution for homeowners in Tillicoultry affected by RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete).

The letter follows the recent precedent set in Aberdeen, where the Scottish Government allowed flexibility under the Affordable Homes Fund, enabling affected homeowners to receive fixed payments closer to pre-RAAC market values. While the Aberdeen solution is not perfect — homeowners there lost their home-loss grant — it demonstrates that ministerial flexibility, combined with determined local advocacy, can deliver justice.

Clackmannanshire already has access to the Affordable Homes Budget through the Council and local Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), as part of the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP). This budget is designed to increase the supply of safe, modern, and affordable housing through new builds, acquisitions, and innovative housing projects.

I am aware that the Council previously submitted an application under this fund in June 2024, which was rejected. However, the circumstances have now changed. Since January 2024, I have actively promoted the use of this fund through blog posts, deputations to West Lothian and Aberdeen City Councils, private meetings with senior officers at Aberdeen City Council and Clackmannanshire Council, and letters to the former Housing Minister — long before MSP Liam Kerr proposed an alternative fund that ultimately failed, and before Màiri McAllan introduced the current flexibility. At that time, there was limited appetite for such a solution. The Aberdeen precedent now provides a clear opening for Clackmannanshire to take action.

The letter highlights that RAAC roofs in Tillicoultry have shown no further deterioration since evacuation, suggesting that earlier decisions may have been an overreaction. This makes it even more critical that any future funding is used to deliver a lasting, safe, and energy-efficient rebuild rather than temporary remedial works.

Importantly, I have urged the Housing Minister that any financial flexibility granted to Clackmannanshire must come with a caveat ensuring a fair deal for homeowners. Any application that does not explicitly provide for this should not receive funding. Homeowners have already endured nearly two years of financial hardship, paying both mortgages and rent, and it is the moral responsibility of both the Council and the Government to act decisively.

Finally, I expressed my disappointment that the Housing Minister has failed to respond to my last four letters on this matter. Continued silence risks prolonging the injustice experienced by Tillicoultry homeowners, and urgent engagement is now required to achieve a fair outcome.

This is a critical moment. Clackmannanshire has the tools, precedent, and funding framework to deliver justice, safety, and dignity for RAAC-affected homeowners — it is now up to the Council and the Scottish Government to act with urgency.   You can read the full letter (here).

Wilson Chowdhry
Chairman, UK RAAC Campaign Group