SCOTLAND HOUSING MARKET IN THE DOLDRUMS.

SCOTLAND HOUSING MARKET IN THE DOLDRUMS.

LABOUR FAILURE TO BOOST HOUSING SPEND

NO NEW FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

SNP MSP Bob Doris today criticised the UK Government for failing to invest any new money in affordable housing or tackling homelessness.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had urged the Chancellor to invest new money in affordable housing, a move that could have delivered increased housing spending in Scotland.

Figures released today show that whilst there was an increase in new build and completions in 2007 – 08 the house building market is slowing in the current year.

Mr Doris, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government Committee said;

“The Scottish Government has brought forward £100 million of investment in affordable housing to help families, housing associations and house builders through difficult times.

“Unfortunately Labour has failed to deliver a single extra penny for affordable housing or investment in meeting homelessness targets.

“Alistair Darling was simply playing catch up with the early actions of the SNP – there is not a penny of new money for housing in Scotland.

“Unfortunately without the power to borrow money and with no new investment from the Labour the Scottish Government can only increase spending on housing by cutting other services or leaving the housing budget and the housing sector completely exposed in years to come.

“The £100 million brought forward in August has been welcomed by the industry and shows the Scottish Government reacting quickly to the changing economic situation.

“Similarly figures released today show both a decline in sale of houses through right to buy and an increase in lets to homeless people. Both vital steps in tackling our housing problems. It is deeply disappointing that the UK Government could not show the same impetus in addressing housing need.”