Responding to latest Bank of Scotland statistics indicating rising house prices have driven a deterioration in home affordability in Scottish cities for a third consecutive year, Chief Executive of industry body Homes for Scotland Nicola Barclay (right) said:

“The single most effective way to address concerns on housing need and affordability is to increase the supply of new homes of all tenures.

“Scotland’s growing population has a diverse set of housing needs and aspirations and there is an ever-present demand for good quality, sustainable homes. However, build levels remain some 40% down on 2007 levels and, with tens of thousands also on waiting lists, a chronic undersupply of housing is having a severe impact on communities across the whole country.

“With the social and economic benefits of increasing supply clear, we are therefore calling on the next Scottish Government to manage a return to pre-recession build levels of at least 25,000 homes per year over the course of the next Parliamentary term.”