Scotland should have a dedicated Cabinet Minister for Housing according to Labour leadership contender Andy Kerr.

Speaking to members of Unison, Kerr said that the current economic downturn emphasised the need for the provision of adequate social housing.

Kerr said:

“Housing needs have a higher profile given the gains to be had in terms of families but also training and employment opportunities that can be delivered off the back of a vibrant well funded housing sector. Housing should be a clearly separate, high profile, ministerial portfolio, well resourced with challenging but achievable targets.

“Social housing can help to ride out the credit crunch afflicting the market currently and keep builders working - as is happening in the rest of the UK under Labour - but it needs realistic funding levels.”