Homes for Scotland (HFS) today expressed concern at a new report showing a continuing fall in the number of First Time Buyers in Scotland and warned that the country faced being left in “housing limbo” following the early closure of the hugely successful Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme, which helped those looking to buy new homes up to £250,000 overcome the difficulties associated with large deposits.

The reaction follows Council of Mortgage Lender figures for the first quarter of 2015 highlighting a 23 per cent drop compared to the last quarter of 2014 and a seven per cent drop on the same period a year ago.

HFS Director of Policy Karen Campbell said:

“With First Time Buyers the lifeblood of our industry, today’s figures represent the fourth consecutive quarterly fall and therefore make for disappointing reading indeed.

“Coming just a day after the early closure of the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme which successfully supported 5000 sales, they underscore the need for continuing Scottish Government support.

"They also emphasise the significant disadvantage that buyers and builders in Scotland now face compared to elsewhere in Britain with both England and Wales extending their schemes to not only meet the obvious demand that exists but also facilitate the building of much needed new homes with all the wide-ranging social, economic and environmental benefits this brings.

“It is therefore imperative that the Scottish Government gives a clear and early signal of its intentions on the matter if Scotland is to avoid being left in housing limbo.”