A Labour MSP has launched a bill to restrict rising rents, with the help of homeless charities and the Govan Law Centre.

Pauline McNeill, Labour MSP for Glasgow, launched her bill on Wednesday to introduce rent controls and tackle the rising pressures faced by private renters.

The bill is being drafted with the help of the Govan Law Centre's Mike Dailly.

Ms McNeill said: “Radical reform of the private rented sector is badly needed and what I am aiming to do with this bill is to make a start towards that."

The bill was announced by party leader Richard Leonard at last year's Scottish Labour conference. 

Speaking at the bill's launch, which was attended by Crisis Scotland, Shelter, Living Rent Edinburgh and Common Weal, Ms McNeill criticised the Scottish Government's efforts to control the private rented sector. 

She said: “The relationship between ever increasing rents and poverty is clear. Rent Pressure Zones have failed.

"The Scottish Government have missed an opportunity in this parliament to tackle high rents.

"With this Bill I hope to correct that mistake."

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Rent pressure zones were introduced to allow councils to restrict the growth of rents in certain areas, but have been criticised for not slowing rising rents.

Mr Dailly said they had "done nothing to cool an overheated and unsustainable sector," adding: "No council has ever sought a rent pressure zone".

He claimed the scheme was proven to be "unworkable and useless".