In light of questions regarding the compatibility of compulsory sales orders and compulsory purchase orders with the European Convention on…

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-04056 on 22 October 2026 . Local authorities can, and are, using existing compulsory purchase powers to bring empty homes back into use. The Scottish Government is also reforming and modernising Scotland's compulsory purchase system to make it simpler, more streamlined and fairer, and have committed to legislate for the proposed reforms during this Parliament, as set out in the Programme for Government.Not all action on empty homes requires legislative reform and in 2026-27 we are investing £2 million to continue to drive down the number of empty homes.Compulsory lease powers would need to be carefully and fully considered against a complex practical and legal background, including compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights. Taking into account the responses to the Scottish Government’s ‘Compulsory Purchase Reform in Scotland’ consultation, we will continue to monitor whether compulsory sale or lease powers could provide any additional benefits beyond a reformed compulsory purchase system.All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers