Responding to today’s Scottish Government announcement that more than 8,000 purchasers have received assistance to buy their own home through the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme, Chief Executive of industry body Homes for Scotland Nicola Barclay (right) said:

“With the majority of Scots aspiring to own their own home, these milestone figures clearly highlight the demand that exists for this hugely successful scheme.  As the next tranche of funding is expected to support up to a further 7,500 individuals and families, the scheme’s positive impact will continue to be felt in terms of its ability to stimulate employment and the wider economy.

“Given the close interconnections between sectors, the scheme has also helped to deliver affordable housing through the direct contribution made through the planning system.  

“That is why we are calling on the next Scottish Government to tackle the country’s housing crisis head-on through an all-tenure approach that manages a return to pre-recession build levels which would result in at least 100,000 new homes by the end of the Parliamentary term.”