GIVE COP26 ACTIVISTS YOUR SPARE ROOM? READ SMALLPRINT

THE public are being urged by the Scottish Government to open up their homes to climate change protesters for the forthcoming COP26 summit.

Next month, tens of thousands of activists from around the world will descend on Glasgow for the eco-conference, which is expected to spark demonstrations.

Yesterday, Greens Minister Patrick Harvie urged Scots to ‘do their bit’ to help accommodate the protesters by letting out a property or spare room, or even allowing someone to stay for free.

However, anyone considering inviting strangers from around the world into their home would do well to read the small print.

At the foot of Mr Harvie’s statement was an alarming disclaimer, warning that the Government ‘cannot assure any householder or potential guest of the safety and the security of the scheme’.

With COP26 expected to attract attendees from around the globe, alongside world leaders and politicians, the cost of accommodation during the summit, from October 31 to November 12, has soared.

Some AirBnB properties have been quoting £3,600 a night, a rise of around 700 per cent.

In response to this, the COP26 Homestay Network website invites ‘hosts’ to open their homes for much lower rates, or for free, to support the aims of the conference. However, so far just 700 have signed up, with the Scottish Government now urging more Scots to do so.

Mr Harvie, the Zero Carbon Buildings Minister, said: ‘COP26 is our best and possibly last chance to work alongside people from around the globe to safeguard our planet from climate catastrophe.

‘We know that the impacts of climate change are not felt equally. In fact, those countries and people least responsible for the climate crisis are the ones most severely affected by it. It is vital that the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis are heard and acted upon.

‘That’s why the Scottish Government has sponsored dialogues with colleagues from the Global South [Third World] and is promoting the voices of children and young people throughout COP26. And that’s why we need people to be able to attend who might otherwise struggle.

‘I’m pleased that the COP26 Homestay Network is continuing the tradition of solidarity, linking local households with attendees to provide affordable accommodation, helping ensure that those critical voices are heard.

‘Accommodation at any COP climate conference is challenging and Glasgow is no exception. This scheme gives local hosts a chance to do their bit to ensure a successful summit, while supporting the movement to tackle climate change.’

The Scottish Government says that

The COP26 Homestay Network… cannot assure any householder or potential guest of the safety and the security of the scheme.

CONCERNING: Statement is urging Scots to take in activists for the summit

providing low-cost accommodation will give people from ‘the Global South’ a chance to ‘make their voices heard’. The statement added: ‘The COP26 Homestay Network is being organised independently from the Scottish Government, which cannot assure any householder or potential guest of the safety and the security of the scheme.’

It also says that the COP26 Homestay Network operates its own safety and safeguarding policy, with host and guest identities verified via their bank account details, and their profiles checked by a support team that is available 24 hours a day.

However, last night the Scottish Government was warned homeowners must not be put at risk. Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative housing spokesman, said: ‘Everyone wants the COP26 summit to be a success, given the scale of the climate emergency. However, SNP-Green Ministers must closely monitor this scheme to ensure homeowners are not put at unintended risk.’