Action now will prevent disaster later

ONE of the clearest illustrations of the increasing inequality dividing Scotland can be seen in housing.

- 

Property prices have gone from strength to strength, making homeowners rich beyond belief.

But at the other end of the spectrum, the lowest income households are left paying exorbitant rents for often substandard and squalid accommodation.

And while little more can be expected of slum landlords in the private sector, it is completely unacceptable when this extends to local authority and housing association properties.