Monday January 12th 2026
RAAC UK campaigner Kerry Macintosh
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
Local campaigners looking for justice for homeowners affected by crumbling concrete will meet Scottish Government officials on Tuesday.
Livingston’s Kerry Macintosh said it was an opportunity for the RAAC UK campaign to press the case for compensation.
“People need grants, not loans”, she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The new engagement follows a face to face meeting with the housing minister, Mairi McAllan, last month
Writing on his blog, Wilson Chowdhry, the chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said the meeting with officials from Holyrood’s Better Homes department could be a “turning point.”
He said: “It is clear that the Scottish Government, through officials like Louise Thompson and Deputy Director Matt Elsby, is beginning to take our campaign seriously. Their willingness to meet and discuss our evidence in detail is a step forward, and it is a platform from which we can push for a UK-wide National RAAC Fund and a fully resourced remediation strategy.
“Our co-vicechairs, Kerry Macintosh and Hannah Chowdhry, our secretary, Fiona Crichton, and our associate member, Jodie Hillcoat, will attend, ensuring a strong committee presence.
“Housing Associations are now being engaged, following our request that they be included in discussions — a recognition that addressing RAAC requires collaboration across all sectors of housing provision.”
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Kerry told the LDRS that the UK government had to work with Holyrood to find a solution to the issues facing home-owners who bought former local authority homes in good faith only to now find themselves saddled with potentially huge bills for repairs.
While potential solutions have been announced in Aberdeen, Dundee and Tllicoultry where RAAC roofed homes have been identified, no money has been paid out.
She said: “We’re tired of listening to them blaming each other. The money has to be found to support these people affected by RAAC.
“Families are living in fear of a material failure that is not their fault. We need urgent solutions and clear commitments — anything less leaves thousands at risk and in financial strain.”
And she added: “ People need grants, not loans.”
Mr Chowdhry said: “Our campaign faces a pivotal moment. The confirmed meeting with Scottish Government officials is a key opportunity to advance the agenda, push for parity of support across the UK, and demand a public inquiry into the historic failings that have left thousands at risk. We will continue to press for:
Pre-RAAC property valuations to restore affected home-owners to their rightful financial position. Fully funded roof replacement or remediation delivered promptly and without burdening households. A coordinated UK-wide approach, ensuring no home-owner is left behind due to postcode or tenure. He added: “While a UK-wide solution remains the ideal, it must be stressed that the Scottish Government retains a fundamental responsibility to its citizens.
“Failing timely support or intervention from the UK Government, it must act unilaterally to ensure home-owners in Scotland receive a fair and equitable outcome. Thousands of families are already facing financial strain and insecure housing — they cannot afford further delay.”
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