Open letter over Tillicoultry RAAC concerns

A RAAC campaign group has written an open letter to the Housing Secretary.

It says homeowners in Tillicoultry are facing "severe anxiety"

People in 30 homes have been out for more than two years after the potentially dangerous concrete was discovered.

Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan will meet residents next month.

The letter has been written by Wilson Chowdhry, from the UK RAAC Campaign Group, and says:

"I am writing on behalf of the UK RAAC Campaign Group to request an urgent private meeting with you regarding the ongoing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) crisis in Scotland. This crisis continues to leave homeowners in unsafe or uninhabitable properties facing severe anxiety, financial strain, and uncertainty.

While we welcome confirmation of meetings with the Cabinet Secretary Mairi McAllan in Tillicoultry (19th November) and West Lothian (3rd December), these discussions focus on regional concerns and are insufficient to address the national scale of this crisis. A dedicated meeting with the UK RAAC Campaign Group is therefore urgently required to discuss a coherent, Scotland-wide strategy.

Key points we wish to address:

1. Funding for remediation: Recent announcements regarding potential grants for Aberdeen City Council relate only to new-build housing and do not provide financial relief or direct remediation support for affected homeowners. Cllr Christian Allard, Aberdeen’s Deputy Council Leader, has indicated reluctance to use council funds to support RAAC homeowners unless funding is specifically allocated from a national source for capital expenditure. This demonstrates that local authorities cannot be relied upon to provide adequate remediation support without a dedicated Scottish RAAC fund.

2. Dedicated Scottish RAAC fund: The UK Government has explicitly confirmed that housing is a devolved matter and that Scotland has both the authority and financial capacity to act, citing record funding settlements of £50.9 billion per year, including £510 million in capital expenditure. Scotland is therefore morally and financially equipped to establish a dedicated fund for RAAC remediation and homeowner relief, and this must be implemented without delay.

3. Cross-government coordination: Both Scottish and UK governments must stop passing responsibility. Fergus Ewing MSP, during a recent parliamentary petition hearing, highlighted the ongoing “blame game” and suggested a private meeting involving the Housing Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland to agree on a clear framework for funding and remediation. Such coordination is essential to establish a coherent national plan.

4. Human cost of inaction: Homeowners continue to face loss of homes, savings, and stability. Delays or inadequate measures exacerbate financial and emotional hardship for families who have no fault in this crisis. Immediate action is essential to prevent further suffering.

5. Precedent in other jurisdictions: Comparisons with Wales and Basildon, Essex—where private homeowners received fair remediation support—demonstrate that Scotland’s lack of action is increasingly indefensible.

6. Alternative solutions such as REGrid: Practical options like REGrid technology could enable rapid assessment and prioritisation of RAAC remediation, helping protect residents and manage risk efficiently.

7. Legislative changes: We also look forward to discussing the legislative reforms you agreed to raise with the UK Government to ensure stronger protections for RAAC mhomeowners. These changes are critical to prevent future crises and guarantee clear legal safeguards for residents.

Given the urgency and severity of this matter, we request that this private meeting be scheduled at the earliest possible date. Our board members are fully prepared to travel to any location convenient for you to present the human impact of the RAAC crisis and discuss practical, enforceable solutions.

We further request that the First Minister and Secretary of State for Scotland join this private meeting. Their presence, is essential to demonstrate cross-government commitment at the highest level and to agree on a clear national framework that provides immediate relief and long-term solutions for homeowners.

The time for deflection is over. Families cannot continue to bear the consequences of inaction. We look forward to your prompt response and confirmation of a suitable meeting date."