SNP need to follow Chancellor’s lead on housing

The Scottish Government have released updated housing statistics for Scotland, which have detailed that there was a 7% drop in housing production for the quarter, and a 14% drop for the year. It also reveals that there was a 17% drop in Right to Buy for the last year.

It comes on the same day that Chancellor George Osborne announced in the Autumn Statement that the UK Government will be offering a discount of up to 50% on those purchasing local authority housing.

Scottish Conservative Housing Spokesman, Alex Johnstone MSP said:

"These statistics show a worrying drop in the number of new houses being built across all sectors and the Scottish Government must take action to ensure that this trend is not allowed to continue. What is also concerning is the sharp fall in sales of local authority housing, with the number of homes being bought under Right to Buy declining further.

"The ownership of your own home can instil a real sense of pride in individuals, also helping to give them their own stake in the improvement and maintenance of their neighbourhood. This opportunity needs to be extended to as many Scots as possible as so we can share the benefits of home ownership.

"While the Scottish Government is allowing Right to Buy to slip, the Chancellor revolutionised the scheme in his Autumn Statement. By offering a discount of up to 50% on families purchasing their property he is extending this opportunity to another generation who will reap the benefits of it across the rest of the United Kingdom.

"The SNP Government needs to follow their lead on this issue immediately as so we can start to see a rise in those being allowed to buy their own home."

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