Coronavirus: Scottish eviction ban set to be extended

Nicola Sturgeon has said the ban on evictions implemented during the Covid pandemic could be extended as part of the new lockdown measures.

Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer called on the Scottish Government to extend the winter eviction ban, which is set to end on January 22, as he questioned the First Minister after her announcement on further restrictions.

He said that evicting people during lockdown would be “downright dangerous” and called for the ban to be extended until April to bring it in line with the end of the furlough scheme.

Ross Greer asked about an extension on the ban on evictions.

“The winter evictions ban was introduced after pressure from tenants’ groups such as Living Rent and discussions between the Scottish Government and Green MSPs, but this will expire on January 22,” he said.

“It would be grossly unjust and downright dangerous to have people losing their homes during a lockdown and with the virus once again out of control. The government must extend the evictions ban now and ensure it remains in place until at least the end of April.”

The First Minister said that an extension of the ban was “under consideration right now” and that she did not “want to pre-empt anything”.

However, she said: “To give a signal in direction of travel, I agree with the sentiment of the question.”

Ms Sturgeon had previously said no tenant should be evicted due to financial hardship caused by Covid-19.

The current ban on evictions has been backed by Shelter Scotland, which said it gave “breathing space” to those hit hardest by the pandemic.

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