As the Prime Minister today announced plans for 200,000 new starter homes for First Time Buyers under 40 south of the border by allowing greater flexibility in the way affordable housing is provided, the home building industry in Scotland urged the Scottish Government to also act boldly to help meet the home owning aspirations of the majority of Scots.

Philip Hogg, Chief Executive (right) of trade body Homes for Scotland, said:

“Whilst the ability of people to buy has been suppressed in recent years by the fall in the number of homes being built and high deposit requirements, it is a fact that the majority of those living in Scotland still aspire to own their home.

“This is the finding of recent Scottish Government research with a Bank of Scotland report earlier this year also highlighting that the main priority for 18-34 year olds is to own their own home.

“The First Minister has made clear that improving opportunity for all is her personal mission.  Ensuring we have enough warm, sustainable homes of all types to meet the diverse needs of our growing population is fundamental to achieving this goal.

“The recently announced successor to the Scottish Government’s Help to Buy shared equity scheme, which will be aimed at assisting affordable home ownership, could, if targeted and funded appropriately, be one of the solutions to helping Scots achieve their housing aspirations.”