Scottish parliament votes in favour of allowing councils to cap rent increases

Legislation hailed as historic step for fixing rigged housing market' but campaigners say bolder action needed

The Scottish parliament has voted overwhelmingly for historic" long-term rent controls - a first across the UK - as part of a wide-ranging housing bill that campaigners argue has been gutted" of its most progressive measures.

The provision for ministers to designate rent control zones, allowing councils to limit rent increases to one percentage point above inflation, up to a maximum rent increase of 6%, was hailed as a historic step for fixing the rigged housing market" by the Scottish Greens.